December 23, 2018

What do you know about Jesus?

Below is the link to our Sunday message from Dec. 23rd...

https://youtu.be/C7-a1kO-5yA


    Christmas is a time of tradition.  Take a minute to remember the traditions that your family has observed throughout the years.  I am sure that some have been followed for decades and some have gone away.  Traditions are an important part of culture.  In the truest sense of the word, traditions are a way to teach and remind us of important knowledge and events.  For all Christ followers, Christmas traditions should all point us to the love of God for us, found in the birth of Jesus Christ.

    Our current culture has taken Christmas and tried to exemplify many of the positive qualities that we would associate with Jesus:  love, kindness, patience, compassion and service to name a few.  However, these things miss the point if we fail to remember Jesus.  Individually it can become a very hectic season, with travel, meals, visits, presents, children, jobs, expectations and obligations to juggle.  We can sometimes lose focus.  So let me encourage you with a bit of advice.

STOP!  BREATHE!  GIVE THANKS!

    When you feel stressed this holiday season, stop and remember the reason why we celebrate this holiday.  It is only because of Jesus, the Son of God, that Christmas exists.  It is only because of Jesus that we pause our lives, to give intentional worship to God for the birth of our Savior.  All of the other stuff does not matter, if it is apart from God.  For example, buying presents is just buying presents, unless you remember the love God had for you by giving you the gift of eternal life.  It is in giving presents to others that we freely love others as God first loved us. 

    Put the focus on God by giving thanks.  The expectations of the world are not the reason to celebrate.  The birth of a Savior is.

May the love of Jesus Christ be with you and your family this Christmas. 

Pastor Jeremy