Christ in Christmas? Scott Pauley

Posted in

2511-11 Christmas Blessings_L
As I write these words, I am sitting in my study at home watching snow fall gently on the already blanketed ground outside. I can hear the familiar strain of Bing Crosby’s voice singing “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas,” and for the first time this year, I am beginning to feel what many call the Christmas spirit. The sights, sounds, and smells of Christmas are everywhere as we approach December 25.

All About Jesus

Over the last two weeks, we have been studying God’s Word in Israel, the land where it all happened. There were no Christmas lights, no carols being sung in the streets, and very little of what we associate with our annual celebration. Yet our thoughts have been filled with great thoughts of Jesus, what He did, and why He came.
It is a reminder that Christmas is not shopping, gift giving, family gatherings, holiday feasts, or children’s stories. There is nothing inherently wrong with any of those things. Traditions can be very enjoyable…as long as the truth does not get lost in it all.
Christmas is about Christ! The Father’s gift. The Son’s birth. The Spirit’s testimony. The world’s hope. It is all about Jesus.
 
You don’t “keep Christ in Christmas” – you find Christmas in Christ. We discover true wonder and joy in the person and work of the Lord Jesus. Just days ago we stood in the shepherd’s fields on the outskirts of Bethlehem and looked at the landscape where an angel announced: “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11). That’s Christmas! 
 
We cannot all go to Bethlehem this Christmas, but we can all come nearer to Christ. Take the time to look up the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah (Click HERE for a list of 55). Read the gospel accounts of our Lord’s birth. Meditate on the goodness and mercy of God to mankind. Join Heaven’s choir and sing, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14). Share the good news with others. That’s Christmas!
 
Tomorrow we begin a special series on our daily Enjoying the Journey podcast called “Christmas Blessings.” We hope you will listen and spread the word. It is my prayer that you and your family will know the blessing of Christ this Christmas as never before.


About Scott Pauley

Read More:

55 Prophecies Jesus Fulfilled 


Discover more from Enjoying the Journey

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Post Author

More from similar topics

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Recent Posts

Now, I am no engineer! But the principle applies to us all: The easiest thing in the world is to have a complicated life. The hardest thing in the world is to have a simple life. You have to work hard to keep it simple.

You Have to Work Hard to Keep it Simple

The idea of building a monument was not that of Joshua, but of God. God instructed Joshua to have twelve men remove a stone from a prescribed place, place it on their shoulders and bear it up out of Jordan. It was to be taken to their place of lodging. What purpose could possibly be served in carrying twelve large river rocks approximately six or seven miles to Gilgal? God said to! In Joshua, we find that God is a monument builder. 

The Monument Builder

In the Second Boer War in South Africa, 13,000 British troops were trapped for 118 days in what is now known as the Siege of Ladysmith. Food diminished, and disease grew. Worst of all, discouragement set in. A civilian was arrested, tried, and sentenced to a year in jail for being a discourager! This man was not a traitor, but he walked around town and spoke discouraging things to men who were on guard against the enemy. The deepest wound you can inflict is to wound a person’s spirit (Proverbs 18:14). Image of the relief of the siege

The Power of Encouragement and the Peril of Discouragement 

In 2 Kings 5, we read a tale of three servants: Naaman, the Little Maid, and Gehazi. No matter your past, you can find healing like Naaman. Regardless of your circumstances, like the maid, God can bless and use you for eternity. Even if you have experienced great victory, you can fall into sin, just like Gehazi.

Bible Biographies: Naaman, the Little Maid, and Gehazi

Leave a Reply