Speaker: Dave Nelson
Theme: It Would Take a Miracle . . . To Remember the Meaning of Christmas
Weekend Music links on iTunes: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Joy to the World, Hosanna - Hillsong, O, Come All Ye Faithful
Read
John 13:34-35, Matthew 28:16-20
Think
Christmas is about giving to others what we have received from God.
In the passage in Matthew we hear Jesus giving the disciples the great commission to go and make disciples of all nations teaching them to obey every commandment. In John we hear Jesus teaching the disciples a new commandment, to love one another as He has loved us.
Jesus loved us with grace, forgiveness and compassion putting us before Him and giving His life so that we can be free of the debt of our sin.
When our children were younger and asked where the Christmas presents had come from we told them they were from people who loved them and wanted to celebrate Jesus birthday by giving a gift to them. The gifts were given not because they were good or deserved them but because they were loved. Isn’t that what Christmas really is? A gift we are given by God because we are loved not because we have been judged and found naughty or nice? We would all fall on the side of naughty as we have all sinned but we get the gift of forgiveness anyway and are asked to pass it on not because others deserve it either but because they are loved by God too.
Do
Find a way to show Grace to someone this year, perhaps by spending time with them, listening more than talking, by being accountable for your actions or by showing love to someone who has hurt you in the past. It may not be a large thing but with each small step we make in sharing God’s grace in our lives with others He joins us and gives us the strength to keep trying not matter how it is received.
Pray
Father, Thank you for your grace and love that we have been given freely, please help us to take steps in showing your grace in our lives by sharing it with others. Father we ask for your strength and courage when it seems hard for us and for the reminder of the cost of Your grace in our lives. Thank you that this Christmas we can share in the joy of Your Son’s birth knowing that He is the greatest gift we can receive. Amen
The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.
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