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And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
--Luke 2:7
That child asleep in a manger in Bethlehem so long ago is God’s gift to me and to you. It is God’s very presence among man.
Jesus Christ’s birth is the revealed promise of God that He will never leave nor forsake you. The importance of Christmas and the miracle of Christmas is that God didn’t just make promises. He came!
God didn’t just speak words. He took action. He sent Jesus, who sacrificed His life to bridge the gap caused by sin between you and your heavenly Father.
And through the birth of the Savior, He reached out to me and to you. If you haven’t yet, will you accept the miracle of Christmas into your life today?
Just pray this prayer with me:
Lord, I believe You came for me. I believe that You lived, died, and rose again for me. So, I invite You to step out of heaven and into my heart today. I believe.
If you’ve just prayed this prayer, I want to welcome you into God’s family! The miracle of Christmas has been realized in your life.
The Rejected Saviour
Sunday, December 08, 2019
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
John 1:9–13
In November of 2018 an elementary school principle in Omaha, Nebraska, made national news when she issued detailed instructions to the teachers regarding what was and was not acceptable during the Christmas season in their classrooms. While polar bears and penguins were still approved, candy canes were banned. “The J shape is for Jesus,” the principal wrote. “The red is for the blood of Christ, and the white is a symbol of His resurrection. This [ban] would also include different colored candy canes.”
The culture around us is becoming increasingly hostile to Christianity. Religious symbols are being challenged in lawsuits, and the mentions of God in the Pledge of Allegiance and on our currency are under attack as well. Though this is a significant shift from the history of America, it should not come as a surprise to us, for Christ was not accepted in His lifetime either.
Storms, diseases, and even demons were obedient to His commands. The natural part of His creation received Him gladly, but the human part of His creation in large measure refused to hear and obey His voice. There are few more condemning words in the Bible than “His own received him not.” But just as with those who received the message in Jesus’ day, our receiving Him is not controlled by what those around us do.
Today's Growth Principle:
The rejection of Christ by the world is no surprise, but we must not let it impact our acceptance of Him.
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