December 23, 2024
SUNDAY RECAP
Don't Miss Jesus This Christmas: Finding True Peace and Joy
As the festive season envelops us in its warm glow, it's easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of activities, gifts, and celebrations. Yet, amidst all the hustle and bustle, we risk missing the very essence of Christmas – Jesus Himself. This year, let's take a moment to reflect on how we can truly embrace the meaning of the season and avoid missing out on the greatest gift of all.
The story of Jesus' birth, as recounted in Luke 2:1-7, offers profound insights into how we might inadvertently overlook the presence of Christ in our lives. The innkeeper who had no room for Mary and Joseph serves as a poignant reminder of how we, too, can become so preoccupied that we fail to make space for Jesus in our hearts and lives.
But how does one miss Jesus, especially during Christmas? It's simpler than we might think. Our lives are often filled with distractions – the shopping, the parties, the endless to-do lists. While these aren't inherently bad, they can overshadow the true meaning of the season if we're not careful.
nterestingly, it's not just modern-day distractions that can cause us to miss Jesus. Even in the biblical narrative, we see examples of those who overlooked the Messiah. King Herod, driven by pride and arrogance, actively sought to eliminate Jesus. The religious leaders of the time, despite their knowledge of scripture, failed to recognize Him. Even Mary and Joseph's own family seems absent from the nativity story.
So, what can we learn from this? How can we ensure that we don't miss Jesus this
Christmas and beyond? Let's explore three key points:
This historical context reminds us that God's plans are far greater than any earthly ruler or circumstance. The Pax Romana, a period of unprecedented peace across the Roman Empire, created the perfect conditions for the spread of the Gospel. It's a powerful reminder that when we say yes to Jesus, He can move heaven and earth to accomplish His purpose in our lives.
In our own lives, we may face challenges and uncertainties. But like Mary and Joseph, we can trust that God is working behind the scenes, orchestrating events for our good and His glory. When we remember that God is in control, we open our hearts to experience His peace and presence, even in the midst of difficulties.
Consider Mary and Joseph's situation – unmarried and pregnant, rejected by family, forced to travel a long distance, and giving birth in less-than-ideal conditions. From a human perspective, their circumstances were far from perfect. Yet, they chose to trust God and embrace His plan, despite the challenges.
This doesn't mean we should ignore our problems or pretend they don't exist. Rather, it's an invitation to shift our focus from our difficulties to God's goodness and faithfulness. As the saying goes, "You can take inventory of your issues or you can count your blessings, but you can't do both."
When we choose to count our blessings and make much of God rather than our problems, we position ourselves to experience His joy and peace. It's about perspective – seeing our circumstances through the lens of faith rather than fear or frustration.
Perhaps one of the most significant ways we can miss Jesus is by harboring bitterness instead of choosing forgiveness. Bitterness is like an acid that eats away at our own hearts, poisoning our relationships and robbing us of joy.
Mary and Joseph had ample reason to feel bitter – they faced misunderstanding, rejection, and hardship. Yet, we see no evidence of resentment in their response to these challenges. Instead, they exemplified trust in God and acceptance of His plan.
For many of us, Christmas can be a time when old hurts resurface or family tensions come to the fore. The invitation here is to choose the path of reconciliation and forgiveness. This doesn't mean glossing over genuine hurts or pretending everything is fine. Rather, it's about releasing the grip of bitterness and allowing God's love to heal and restore.
Forgiveness is rarely easy, but it's always worth it. It's a gift we give ourselves as much as others, freeing us from the burden of resentment and opening our hearts to experience God's peace and joy.
As we navigate this Christmas season, let's challenge ourselves to make room for Jesus in our hearts and lives. This might mean simplifying our schedules to create space for reflection and worship. It could involve reaching out to that family member we've been avoiding or choosing to respond with grace in a difficult situation.
Remember, the true joy of Christmas isn't found in perfect circumstances or flawless celebrations. It's found in the presence of Jesus – the One who came as a humble baby in a manger, yet is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
This Christmas, let's not miss Jesus. Instead, let's open our hearts to receive Him anew, trusting in His control over our lives, focusing on His blessings rather than our problems, and choosing the freedom of forgiveness over the bondage of bitterness. In doing so, we'll discover the true peace and joy that Christmas is meant to bring – not just for a season, but for a lifetime.
As the festive season envelops us in its warm glow, it's easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of activities, gifts, and celebrations. Yet, amidst all the hustle and bustle, we risk missing the very essence of Christmas – Jesus Himself. This year, let's take a moment to reflect on how we can truly embrace the meaning of the season and avoid missing out on the greatest gift of all.
The story of Jesus' birth, as recounted in Luke 2:1-7, offers profound insights into how we might inadvertently overlook the presence of Christ in our lives. The innkeeper who had no room for Mary and Joseph serves as a poignant reminder of how we, too, can become so preoccupied that we fail to make space for Jesus in our hearts and lives.
But how does one miss Jesus, especially during Christmas? It's simpler than we might think. Our lives are often filled with distractions – the shopping, the parties, the endless to-do lists. While these aren't inherently bad, they can overshadow the true meaning of the season if we're not careful.
nterestingly, it's not just modern-day distractions that can cause us to miss Jesus. Even in the biblical narrative, we see examples of those who overlooked the Messiah. King Herod, driven by pride and arrogance, actively sought to eliminate Jesus. The religious leaders of the time, despite their knowledge of scripture, failed to recognize Him. Even Mary and Joseph's own family seems absent from the nativity story.
So, what can we learn from this? How can we ensure that we don't miss Jesus this
Christmas and beyond? Let's explore three key points:
- Remember That God Is in Control
This historical context reminds us that God's plans are far greater than any earthly ruler or circumstance. The Pax Romana, a period of unprecedented peace across the Roman Empire, created the perfect conditions for the spread of the Gospel. It's a powerful reminder that when we say yes to Jesus, He can move heaven and earth to accomplish His purpose in our lives.
In our own lives, we may face challenges and uncertainties. But like Mary and Joseph, we can trust that God is working behind the scenes, orchestrating events for our good and His glory. When we remember that God is in control, we open our hearts to experience His peace and presence, even in the midst of difficulties.
- Don't Accentuate Your Problems
Consider Mary and Joseph's situation – unmarried and pregnant, rejected by family, forced to travel a long distance, and giving birth in less-than-ideal conditions. From a human perspective, their circumstances were far from perfect. Yet, they chose to trust God and embrace His plan, despite the challenges.
This doesn't mean we should ignore our problems or pretend they don't exist. Rather, it's an invitation to shift our focus from our difficulties to God's goodness and faithfulness. As the saying goes, "You can take inventory of your issues or you can count your blessings, but you can't do both."
When we choose to count our blessings and make much of God rather than our problems, we position ourselves to experience His joy and peace. It's about perspective – seeing our circumstances through the lens of faith rather than fear or frustration.
- Choose Forgiveness Over Bitterness
Perhaps one of the most significant ways we can miss Jesus is by harboring bitterness instead of choosing forgiveness. Bitterness is like an acid that eats away at our own hearts, poisoning our relationships and robbing us of joy.
Mary and Joseph had ample reason to feel bitter – they faced misunderstanding, rejection, and hardship. Yet, we see no evidence of resentment in their response to these challenges. Instead, they exemplified trust in God and acceptance of His plan.
For many of us, Christmas can be a time when old hurts resurface or family tensions come to the fore. The invitation here is to choose the path of reconciliation and forgiveness. This doesn't mean glossing over genuine hurts or pretending everything is fine. Rather, it's about releasing the grip of bitterness and allowing God's love to heal and restore.
Forgiveness is rarely easy, but it's always worth it. It's a gift we give ourselves as much as others, freeing us from the burden of resentment and opening our hearts to experience God's peace and joy.
As we navigate this Christmas season, let's challenge ourselves to make room for Jesus in our hearts and lives. This might mean simplifying our schedules to create space for reflection and worship. It could involve reaching out to that family member we've been avoiding or choosing to respond with grace in a difficult situation.
Remember, the true joy of Christmas isn't found in perfect circumstances or flawless celebrations. It's found in the presence of Jesus – the One who came as a humble baby in a manger, yet is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
This Christmas, let's not miss Jesus. Instead, let's open our hearts to receive Him anew, trusting in His control over our lives, focusing on His blessings rather than our problems, and choosing the freedom of forgiveness over the bondage of bitterness. In doing so, we'll discover the true peace and joy that Christmas is meant to bring – not just for a season, but for a lifetime.
Posted in Daily Devos