Let’s Keep Christ in Christmas

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”—Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)

Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords. He is our everything: our lawyer in the courtroom, our doctor when we’re sick, our friend when we need a shoulder to cry on; everything we need rolled into one person.

His story was meant to be told, which is why Christmas is celebrated worldwide. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from, the story of Jesus’ birth has the power to transform lives and bring about joy, wonder and peace for all mankind.

Long before He was born, His story was prophesied through the prophet Isaiah. It was the vision of the soon coming Messiah, the savior of the world who would be a ransom for many.

Isaiah 9:6 gave us an insight of who Jesus would be:

A wonderful Counselor: Proverbs 2:6-7 states it best: “For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.” (NET)

A Mighty God: He’s mighty in strength, He’s courageous and has all power in His hands. The good news is that these attributes are available to us as well. Psalm 46:1 (NIV) declares, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. We have all we need when we seek and trust in Him.

The Everlasting Father: He’s the connection to God our Father. Without Him, we don’t have access to God. He’s our mediator, our intercessor. Hebrews 1:3 states, “The Son is the radiance of his glory and the representation of his essence, and he sustains all things by his powerful word, and so when he had accomplished cleansing for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.”

He’s the Prince of Peace (Jehovah Shalom). Jesus was born as man to make us right with our Heavenly Father. Our sinful nature would keep us from God but for Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross. He shed His blood so that we could be reconciled to God. Hence, before returning to God He stated, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.”John 14:27 NET. With Him we have the assurance of peace during difficult times because we have access to Him and can be sure that He will guard, keep and grant us rest.

This is why we must remember the reason for the season. Jesus’ birth was God’s gift to us. Let’s keep Christ in Christmas.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Season of Peace and Love

December is my favorite month for many reasons. For one, it is my birth month (and one of my sisters, baby brother and mother). It is also the month we celebrate Mother's Day in my country of birth (December 8th). Finally, it is the month in which we celebrate the birth of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

This is the season of love and peace to all on earth. It is a time to celebrate the birth of He who came to this world to die, Jesus Christ, the sacrificial lamb offering who willingly gave his life in exchange for ours. It all started at a time like this, Christmas, when a young virgin gave birth to the Messiah, the Prince of Peace. Christmas is a time for us to get together and celebrate his birth; to give thanks for the gift he became to the world. It is a time for all to gather together and forget our differences and celebrate as one this joyous occasion. It is a time to dig deep into our hearts and find the love that is there waiting to be poured out for humankind.

In the spirit of Christmas, we make or buy Christmas cards, we bake cookies, cakes and other goodies; we clean up and prepare our homes in preparation of those who might be coming over for a meal on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and/or New Years Day, we buy gifts, sometimes forgetting that gift-giving is really not the purpose of the season.  I am reminded of the Advent study book we read just a few weeks ago, titled "Christmas Is Not Your Birthday," by Mike Slaughter.  It is about God's scandalous love for humankind, a love that has no bounds; a love that is generous toward us, and which, according to Slaughter, should be about our lives being transformed to become the ears, eyes, hands, and wallets of Christ, to be obedient to his calling, and to live our lives in service to those who cannot help themselves.

It is my hope that this Christmas finds you surrounded by the love and joy the season brings, but also reminds you that Christmas is not your birthday, but the birthday of the boy Jesus, God's gift to us.

Peace and love!

Pre-printed Christmas cards for clients

Handcrafted Cards cut via MTC with Silhouette Cameo