Give thanks to the Lord, for He is the giver of all good gifts!

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas!



It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...everywhere you go.
The stores are packed...Christmas trees stand proudly inside homes...lights glisten as they adorn roofs and bushes...Christmas is here. But what about the heart of Christmas? Its so easy to do the movements of Christmas without ever even thinking about the true spirit of Christmas. Most people know the story of the nativity....angels, shepherds, a baby, Mary and Joseph. But, what does that mean to each one of us?
This last Sunday, my pastor talked about the birth of Jesus. He brought up the point that Jesus didn't only bring peace. In Isaiah, prophesies speak of Jesus being a stumbling block. Throughout Christ's life, this prophesy cam true. He was a sanctuary for those who accepted Him and a stumbling block for those who rejected Him. Its the same today. Christ was born in Bethlehem and we celebrate His birth at Christmas. At this time of remembrance, we all must ask ourselves:
what will I do with Him? What will I do with Christ this Christmas?
His birth changed the world-it changed the history of the world. I get caught up in the season's stresses and forget what Christmas is all about. Remembering the birth of hope. Christmas is a time of hope. Jesus's birth brought hope to all mankind. Now, we can accept Jesus's birth, death and resurrection as our only hope and find eternal life through Him.
What is He to us? Sanctuary or stumbling block? Are we able to rejoice like the shepherds at His birth, or do we try to blot Him out of our paths like Herod? Or, are we at the point where we are ready to seek Him like the magi?
Luke 2:10
" for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. "