This one comes from Max Lucado, who always finds the best words to say on a given occasion:
The Good News of Christmas
And the angel said to the Shepherds, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:10-12)
Familiar verses, aren’t they? So familiar, in fact, that it is easy to miss just how remarkable they are…
Fear not…
I bring you good news…
A Savior is born…
He’s lying in a manger…
The birth of Jesus is not the way we would have planned it. No person, however poor, should have to be born in a stable. No delivery room, no doctor. Hay on the floor, animals all around. And the smell! The mess! This is no place for a royal birth.
But God sees things differently. He chose a manger over a mansion. He picked a carpenter over a king. He designed a quiet coming over a worldwide celebration. Why would God the Creator of heaven and earth, send his Son to be born in such a lowly place?
Perhaps Jesus, the only Son of God, was born in a stable to give hope to all whose lives look like one. We sure do make a mess of things. Sometimes our actions stink. And though we try to make the best of it, the winter wind still sneaks into the corners of our lives, and the nights get cold and dark.
Too many days too far from God? Too many years too hard on others? Too much mess? God knows…and he has some amazing words for you.
I bring you good news…
I’ll give you great joy…
I sent the Savior, Christ the Lord!
Want to know God’s answer to deepest longings of your life? “For God loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal live” (John 3:16).
Here we find the answer, in the most unexpected place. Look long at heaven’s barn-born baby—he’s the Holy One sleeping in the hay—and listen as God whispers: No mess turns me back, no smell turns me away. I was born to live in lives like yours.
He knows exactly what you’re like. And still he loves you. He simply awaits your invitation to come in. One word from you and God will do again what he did back then. He’ll place his Son in the stable of your heart. He’ll give you the gift of eternal life.
Good News! Great joy! Eternal life! Would you like to receive this gift this Christmas? Will you tell God you do?
“Father, I believe you love me. You gave your one and only Son for me –born in a manger, dying on the cross to pay for my sins, rising again to save me. I accept your gift to live with you forever with you. Apart from you, I die. With you, I live. I choose life. I choose you.”
Amen.
2015 promises to be a pivotal year in terms of prophetic fulfillment, there is no doubt of that. Jesus urged us to be prepared in this season of and this occasion, as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, is an excellent place to start that final preparation as we head towards the finish line of this epic 'race'.
Maranatha - soon we will be gathered together in the most epic celebration and reunion that has ever taken place.
As a footnote (well, hardly a 'footnote'), last week my brother and best friend went to Heaven. He is now resting comfortably in the very presence of Jesus Himself and exploring the wonders and glory of that place that Jesus has prepared. I know of no one who wanted to be with Jesus more, and he talked about that glorious day many many times. We assumed it would happen at the time of the rapture, but God had a different plan. As I have told many people, the energy level and laughter in Heaven just went up a notch, as he was a very high energy and gregarious person, who everyone loved to be around. We will miss him very much, but only temporarily, as we take great comfort in looking forward to the epic reunion that is guaranteed to take place - and most likely very soon. We're both looking forward to that a great deal and the wait, whatever length of time it is, will just make the reunion that much sweeter.
Brother Scott & Family~
ReplyDeleteI am so very sorry to hear about your Brother and your loss. I am very happy he is with the Lord and soon enough you all will have one joyous reunion!! I know it can still be bitter sweet.
May you all be able to get through this season, heavy hearts and all, with the promise that soon enough we will all be celebrating in so many glorious ways.
God Bless!!
GG
My heart filled condolences for the loss of your brother and your best friend. I am so sorry and hope and pray that God will continue to be with you as you mourn.
ReplyDelete1 Thessalonians 4:13
Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.
Christmas blessings to you and your family, as we await that day that will be like no other when our Lord shall come and renew His handiwork to restore all creation so that we may all glorify our God.
Scott, I'm so sorry to hear this. I lost my mom in September at 92; but know she's in a better place. A friend of mine gave me a poem the other day; and this is one I did not write; but it was very meaningful to me. I'll put it in the next post.
ReplyDeleteMY FIRST CHRISTMAS IN HEAVEN: I see countless Christmas trees around the world below, with tiny lights like Heaven's stars reflecting in the snow. The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away the tear. For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year. I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear; but the sounds of music can't compare with the Christmas choir up here. I have no words to tell you the joy their voices bring; for it is beyond description to hear the angels sing. I know how much you miss me. I see the pain inside your heart; but I am not so far away, we really arent apart. So be happy for me dear ones, you know I hold you dear; and be glad I'm spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year. I sent you each a special gift from my heavenly home above. I sent you each a memory of my undying love. After all, love is a giftmore precious than pure gold. It was always most important in the stories Jesus told. Please love and keep each other as my Father said to do. For I can't count the blessing or love He has fr each of you. So have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear. Remember I'm spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.
ReplyDeleteScott, Thank you for sharing a personal story of a brother loved and departed. But what hope and joy we have saved in Jesus Christ that our time apart with loved ones gone to heaven ahead of us, will be there to greet us!
ReplyDeleteSandra
Thanks so much for the kind words and encouragement. We have so much ti be thankful for and the hope that we have been given. Maranatha and thanks again
ReplyDeleteScott, you know the best and warmest wishes and thoughts are with you and the family from Mrs C and I also.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless, Brother
My heartfelt condolences my friend. I rejoice that your brother was in Christ and is now with him this day. Looking forward to our near reunion. Until then, I wish for you God's Peace and Blessings.
ReplyDeleteDear Scott, So sorry to hear about your brother's death. It was his last enemy and one he didn't have to fight when he passed over.He was thankfully waiting for the Lord not death. Still losing a brother/best friend is really hard. Our prayers are with you and your family, your Mother too.
ReplyDeleteMay you be upheld and comforted in the presence and hope of the Lord. Much love to you and yours!
My dearest Scott-I look forward to meeting him at the Tree of Life picnic!!! I'm ready for the no more tears eternal life. Sooooo ready! Sending love and prayers to you and your family! Keep looking up. Soon, very soon Scott! Everything you have been believing and sharing....we are on the verge, the cusp.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for the comments here - they are greatly appreciated. One thing I loved at the funeral - one of the pastors kept referring to him in the present tense, something I tend to do upon a believer's death. It underscores how they are indeed very much alive. In fact, those believers who have passed on are more alive than we are. But thanks again to everyone, it means the world that you would give these strong words of encouragement, it really does. God bless you all.
ReplyDeleteMy heartfelt condolences to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteThanks - one fine day - it means a lot :)
ReplyDeleteScott,
ReplyDeleteWhen you said, "It underscores how they are indeed very much alive…" I read something recently that seems appropriate...
“In recognizing the Creator, and His purpose, only in the Christian faith do we find the physical body and the soul both affirmed. As George McDonald said, ‘Never tell a child you ‘have’ a soul. Teach him you ‘are’ a soul; you ‘have’ a body.’ in recognition of that... the greater needs of the soul, and it’s expressions, are given it’s rightful place.”
I pray it's a comfort for you to know your brother & friend are (as you stated) "very much alive" as they are now able to give the expressions of their souls their "rightful place." Face to face & directly to our Lord.
So very sorry for your double loss.
Thanks for that - and I agree on the body/soul....Fortunately, we'll have an incredible reunion. What a glorious day it will be. :)
ReplyDelete