Where is my heart today: focused on the news around me or rested in the Savior of the world?

“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.” Luke 2:1-3

Jesus was born into a world taken up with Caesar Augustus’ census. People were travelling to get to their own towns so they could register. Bethlehem was bustling with activity—all the inns were full—and I’m sure everyone was talking about the census. It shouldn’t surprise me that this is the time God chooses for Jesus to be born into the world. While everyone is focused on the seemingly important events of the day, Jesus, Savior of the world, is born in a manger.

There is so much demanding our attention in the world every day. Elections, climate change, economic fluctuations, war, natural disasters, personal struggles. It is into this atmosphere—this hustle and bustle—that Jesus chooses to be born into again and again. He pierces through our activity and calls us to come and adore Him … to see the wonder of His birth.

Reflect:  How can I invite Jesus into the activities of my day today?

Where is my heart today: focused on the news around me or rested in the Savior of the world?

Jesus, thank You for coming into my very own story and calling me to see You. Today I adore You and I thank You for the wonder of Your birth.

By Idelette McVicker
Used by Permission

Further Reading

• Christmas Section
• Stories:  Why I Choose God
•  Salvation Explained

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She was a simple teenage girl; a girl who found herself pregnant and alone.

Just days earlier, she had been going about her chores happily consumed with thoughts about her upcoming marriage.

But now, everything had changed . . .

It was an angel that broke the news to her of God’s great love and desire to use her as the vessel for His Son to come to earth.  She was amazed that God would consider her, a simple girl with no earthly status or wealth, to carry this precious child and to be His mother!  She was astounded, surprised and a little bit scared all at once.  She couldn’t really comprehend how it would be possible but she trusted her Lord and humbly agreed to His plan.

But now, in the stillness of the night, as her hand felt to the softness of her belly she wondered . . . was it all just a figment of her imagination.  Could it really be true?  Was she pregnant even now as she lay there in her bed?  How could she really know that this was true?

She abruptly sat up in bed!  What had the angel said about her Aunt Elizabeth?  Oh yes, she was pregnant too!  She would go and see her – that was the only way to be sure that this wasn’t all a crazy dream.

She arose early the next morning, packed her bags and made the long trek to their home.
Her thoughts spun round and round in her head as she walked the dusty path. What would Joseph do once he found out she was pregnant?  What would her parents say?  Why hadn’t the angel told them about this?  Why was she the only one who knew?

She knew that if it was true, her life would never be the same.  From now on, she would be changed; there was no going back, no altering of the plan.

When she stepped into the home of Zechariah and Elizabeth, she knew deep down in her heart that what the angel said wasn’t a figment of her imagination or a dream, it was true because there before her was Elizabeth, old and wrinkled and very pregnant indeed, exclaiming her joy at being with the mother of her Lord.  It was true!  It was true! She was to be the mother of the long awaited Messiah.  Oh what joy!

A baby, her BABY would change EVERYTHING!

“And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.”  Luke 2:6-7

By Kristi Huseby
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

•  The Christmas Story – the story of Jesus Birth
• Christmas Quotes
• Christmas Prayers
• Christmas articles, poems, prayers and stories

The post A Baby Changes Everything appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Jesus was born.” Matthew 2:1

We’ve approached a time of bustle.  Shopping, baking, holiday greetings, home for Christmas.  Why?  Why are we celebrating Christmas?

How would the average person answer that question?  Tradition?  Family?  Love for hearth and home?

Let’s go back to the first Christmas. A baby in a stall.  And the most incredible statement ever spoken:  “Jesus was born.”   The “image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature” who is “before all things, and by him all things consist” (see Colossians 1:15-19).  HE was born.    GOD was “made flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).

He was made flesh.  All the blood of bulls and goats could not fully atone for man’s sin.  The blood of Christ was the only blood sufficient.  So a body was prepared for Him (Hebrews 10:5).  Suddenly, God could bleed.  And 33 years later, He bled on the cross, and God’s perfect justice was satisfied.

He dwelt among us. But why was He born?  Why didn’t He arrive as a full-grown man the hour of the crucifixion, pay for sins, and then leave?  So He could also dwell “among us.”  He associated Himself with us and was tempted “in all points. . .like as we are” (Hebrews 4:15).  He went through the things we go through.  He was touched by every grief, every disappointment, every painful trial, and every overwhelming temptation.   And yet, He never sinned.

He bled as a perfect sacrifice.  He lived a perfect life.

Horatius Bonar once said:

Upon a life I did not live,
Upon a death I did not die;
Another’s life, Another’s death,
I stake my whole eternity.

You and I can say that, too, because “Jesus was born.”

THAT’s why we’re celebrating Christmas.

by Bethany Hayes
Used by Permission

Further Reading

• Come Worship the King – One way to celebrate Christ’s birth as a family

•  A Wonderful Christmas Morning

•  Salvation Explained

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The post Why Are We Celebrating Christmas? appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given.” Isaiah 9:6

To those in sin, God sent us the Savior;

To those in darkness, God sent us the Light;

To those in bondage, God sent us the Deliverer;

To those in defeat, God sent us the Victor;

To those in want, God sent us the Shepherd;

To those in hunger, God sent us the Bread;

To those in pain, God sent us the Physician;

To those in doubt, God sent us the Truth;

To those in confusion, God sent us the Way;

To those in turmoil, God sent us the Prince of Peace;

To all in need, God sent His only begotten Son.

by Roy Lessin
Used by Permission

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