Christmas 2016

I used to hate it when Christmas fell on a Sunday. We’d wake up early and open presents, dump out all the goodies in the stockings, then rush around to get ready for church, all the while glancing at our toys, wishing we could just stay home and play. I felt this way as an adult with children of my own, knowing that they too wished they could just stay home.

But I’ve learned that my focus was wrong. Sure, I would say that Jesus is the reason for the season, but they were just words. Those words really didn’t affect my heart.

When your heart focuses on the One and Only, Christmas becomes sacred. A day that is steeped in wonder and awe. It’s the miracle of the Creator God becoming a sacrificial lamb…a babe swaddled, lying in a cradle of hay.

This babe is Emmanuel…God with us.

Today Christians all over the world are gathering together to celebrate this coming King, this child on whom the weight of the world rests. Together we will raise our voices to praise Him who humbled himself to take on human form, becoming the servant of all, giving His life for each and every soul that ever was, is, and will be.

Today is special. Do you feel it? Do you hear the Spirit whisper into your soul, “Today is the day.” He is here. Because of His birth, death, and resurrection, he is here…living in you. Because of His first gasp of breath, He now breathes into you His presence.

Rejoice! Worship Him! For He is here….and He will come again to take us home.

“Hope of all hopes, dream of our dreams, a child is born, sweet-breathed; a son is given to us: a living gift. And even now, with tiny features and dewy hair, He is great. The power of leadership, and the weight of authority, will rest on His shoulders. His name? His name we’ll know in many ways – He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Dear Father everlasting, ever-present never-failing, Master of Wholeness, Prince of Peace.”  Isaiah 9:6 (The Voice)

Merry  Christmas!