Christmas Meditations

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John 3:16 is likely the most popular verse in the Bible. 

For God so LOVED the world that He GAVE...

Even in a culture that is doing everything to take Christ out of Christmas, the very essence of this season prevails in the tradition of giving gifts. During Christmas, we express our love through giving.

Most of us Christians spend the month of December meditating on the Christmas story as written in the New Testament. There is indeed a lot to learn from all the characters involved. These are a few lessons that stand out to me this year.

JOSEPH

Matthew 1:18-25

  1. Kindness: Even though he felt betrayed by Mary, Joseph did not retaliate the way most of us would these days. Despite what he thought Mary did, he still planned to break off the engagement in a way that would not hurt her.
  2. Dreams: God speaks to us through dreams: Many of us do not pay enough attention to our dreams. Remember how God changed Solomon's life through a dream? May God give us grace to discern dreams from Him and interpret them correctly the way Joseph did. 
  3. Obedience: The way Joseph promptly and consistently obeyed God is a grace we should all desire and pray for. It will save us from a lot of trouble.

JOHN THE BAPTIST

Mark 1:1-8

  1. John was 'weird' and anointed: How many of us will pay attention to someone like John today? May God give us grace to discern His anointing even if the packaging is non-conventional.
  2. His parents were faithful servants of God, yet they were childless even though they desired children and prayed for them. Unanswered prayers are sometimes God's will.
  3. Names are powerful. Notice how imperative it was that John was given the right name. How many of us Christians carefully consider and pray about the names we give our kids? A name usually defines the destiny of its owner.

MARY

Luke 1:26-38

  1. God partners with man to accomplish His purposes on earth. God's purpose for my life will not come to pass without my cooperation. How is God calling you to partner with him in this season of your life?
  2. Favor is a grace that is real. Mary was chosen for the great purpose of birthing the Savior of the world because of favor. I do not think she was the only young and faithful virgin in all of Israel at the time. It makes a huge difference when we intentionally pray for favor.
  3. Nothing is impossible with God - when we believe and trust God we will experience miracles. Let us believe the things God says will happen in our lives, even if we cannot "see" how they will happen. It is that faith, that ultimate trust, that causes the seemingly impossible to happen.
  4. The extremely humble circumstances of Jesus' birth would have caused most of us to doubt and resent God, if we were in Mary's shoes. The Son of God born in a smelly, cold barn? God's ways are not our ways. May God help us discern His perfect will especially when it is difficult.

THREE WISE MEN

Matthew 2:1-12

  1. These men were rich and powerful, yet they traveled far to honor a baby King.  They did not send a representative, they went themselves. How do we honor God and even those in authority?
  2. The wise men went to Herod because they expected a king will be born in a palace. But even when they found Him in much humbler circumstances they did not question who baby Jesus was. They still bowed and worshipped Him.
  3. When asked not to return to Herod, they heard God and obeyed. Who knows what could have happened if they did not? Like Joseph, they discerned God's voice in their dream and dared to defile a King in obedience.
Merry Christmas dear reader. May Peace and Joy, Grace and Truth, Love and Generosity be your testimony this season.


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