Christmas Archives - Thoughts about God

The Christmas Story

Devotionals — Sun, 21 Dec 2025 08:06:38 +0000

Found in the Holy Bible, in the book of Luke.

The story of the Birth of Christ Jesus:

“About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was the governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David’s hometown, for the census. As a descendant of David he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.

While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped Him in a blanket and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the hostel.

There were shepherds camping in the neighbourhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”

At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises: “Glory to God in the heavenly heights; Peace to all men and women on earth who please Him.”

As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the shepherds talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the shepherds were impressed.

Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The shepherds returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they’d been told!” (Luke 2:1-20).

It was a simple scene that first Christmas – a rough room, a young couple and nothing but a feeding trough to put the child in. It was probably quite cold and with family far away there was little help. Not exactly the Hallmark moment we like to show in Christmas pageants. And yet this rustic scene marked the greatest event in the history of mankind.

God’s Son became human and came to earth to save us. God had promised to send a Messiah, one who would save His people. He could have easily burst on the scene as a full grown man, a seven foot warrior with fiery eyes and arms of steel. This was what many people were looking for, but it wasn’t how God did it. He arrived in the arms of a young girl. He was, as another of our authors put it, “a very small package, wrapped in rags, given from the heart of God. The perfect gift.”

God gave His only Son to die in our place so that we, in all our brokenness, could know forgiveness. He came so that we could know what love feels like, real love – love that never leaves, love that never disappoints, love that is never betrayed. He sent His Son into a corrupted world to bring us hope.

How are you doing this Christmas?
Are you having a hard time finding hope in the world? Are you having a hard time finding peace? It doesn’t have to be that way. You can have peace and find hope and know forgiveness through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Are you at a place in your life where you want to know Jesus and have him in your life? You can start a life surrendered to Christ today. This is a sample prayer, but the words are powerful and full of meaning. If you truly believe them Christ will enter your life and start you on a wonderful journey. (not always easy, but never alone)

Lord Jesus, I want to know You personally. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to You and ask You to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.

It starts now!

A Time of Praise and Worship

admin — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 08:03:59 +0000

“When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy…. And they fell down and worshiped him.” Matthew 2:10-11

Worship was such an important part of that first Christmas. The wise-men worshiped Jesus in the house where they found him. The prophetess Anna and Simeon worshiped in the temple. The shepherds’ hearts were filled with praise as they hurried to find the child and then shared the good news with others. The place of worship was different for all of them but their hearts were overflowing with praise and adoration.

Do we take the time to worship the Lord during this Christmas season? It doesn’t really matter whether we worship in our home, in our church, at a Christmas concert or banquet or maybe it’s, ‘on the run,’ as we dash through the mail and hear the music, “Silent Night”. The only thing that matters is that our hearts are lifted in praise and worship to the Lord. Is there a song of praise on our lips at Christmas? How easy it is to see the work, feel the burdens and be aware of the frustrations instead of seeing the glory, the gift and the Savior.

by Elfrieda Nikkel
Used by Permission

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A Time of Loving

Devotionals — Sun, 17 Dec 2023 08:03:05 +0000

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son.” John 3:16a

The story of Christmas is the story of God’s love. A love that was willing to give what was most precious to save a dying world. God so loved, that he gave his Son. Christmas gives us a glimpse into the heart of God; a heart overflowing with love; a heart longing to help the people in bondage to sin. Here was love that was great enough to give an only Son for people who rejected him.

This Christmas we too will be faced with people that need our love. At times it will be easy to give our love. Sometimes it will take a lot of effort and maybe there will be times when it seems almost impossible to love. When we face those moments, we need to remember that God is waiting to pour his love into our hearts to share with others. As the love of God who gave his only Son, fills our hearts we will be able to love the unlovely in our world as Jesus did.

By Elfrieda Nikkel
Used by Permission