|
|
|---|
|
"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. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end" (Isaiah 9:6-7 NKJV in the Holy Bible) "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:10-13 -- NIV in the Holy Bible) Dear Family and Friends, Merry Christmas! What an awesome time! As I write, the beauty and the glory of the presence of Jesus is such a reality. This is what Christmas is all about. Emmanuel - God with us! Because of Christmas, God is with us. He's with you and He's with me. We can't get more of God, or less of Him. There is no part or portion of God. He's all He ever was and all He ever will be. All He ever was and all He ever will be; all He is, is with us! Always!! God told us to not fear, because He would be with us always. He won't ever leave us or desert us. David asked, where could we go from God's presence? He wrote that if we go to the highest of the heavens or descend to the depths of the earth God is with us. Even if we walk through the valley of the shadow of death we don't need to fear any evil because He is with us!! Jesus said He would be with us even to the ends of the earth. Christmas! The birth of Christ into our world and into our lives! Who would have ever thought that God would literally call me to go to the ends of the earth?! Yet, for the past twenty-two years, as I have walked around the world with a large, wooden cross God has never left me. Whether I have been alone in the deserts and jungles, or with the multitudes in the cities, God has been with me. He has been with me from Albania to Zimbabwe; from the Jordan valley to the Himalayas; from the Islands of the Pacific to the "Roof of the World"; from cold Antarctica to hot Djibouti; in the middle of war and in the midst of peace. Hallelujah! Wherever we go the beautiful, peaceful presence of Jesus will be with us always! This year, let's not forget that God wants others to experience the joy and peace of His presence, also. Let's not forget about others around us. For so many, the sounds of this Christmas won't be those of joy, peace, and goodwill; but of despair, confusion and fear. Instead of the crackle of a cozy fire, it is the tuk-tuk-tuk of automatic weapons; explosion of mortar shelling outside the door. Instead of children's laughter on Christmas morning, it is the weeping of hungry and scared children, or the wailing of those who've lost loved ones to war, famine, or disease. Rather than carols remembering the birth of the One, True God, it is the sound of chants and prayers to unknown gods. It breaks my heart that God's dream is "Peace on earth, goodwill to men", yet so many wars continue, so many are hurt and broken, so many are isolated and lonely, and so many have never heard of or understood the real meaning of Christmas. For many of us, Christmas is special because we know Jesus! That's what Christmas is all about. However, there are literally billions around this world who don't know about, or understand the true meaning of Christmas because they don't know about Jesus. So many don't know, or have forgotten, that God gave the first Christmas present -- His only Son ... and it's His birthday! So many have never seen a cross or held a Bible. They've never heard that Jesus loves them and that He's alive and they can know Him personally. What's even more incredible and heartbreaking, however, is that many of these precious people have never even heard the name of Jesus!!! I once read from a nineteenth century missionary, "We argue about Christ's Second Coming, yet much of the world has never heard of His first coming!" Unfortunately, it is still true today! I pray that this Christmas Jesus will receive the gift for His birthday that He wants more than anything ... a people from every tribe, tongue, and nation of this world. I pray that He will receive the love and friendship that He created us for. That those who can't come to Him because they don't know Him, will. And those who don't come to Him because they've forgotten, will return. It burdens me that God's dream is "Peace on earth, goodwill to men", yet so many wars continue, so many are hurt and broken, and so many have never heard of or understood the real meaning of Christmas, the true Prince of Peace. It seems so odd that so many of us seem to treat Christmas like it is our birthday. Each Christmas, I have wanted to bring joy to my wife and children by getting just the right gift -- even more, I desire to put a smile on the face of Jesus by getting Him just the right gift ... bringing a lost and dying world back into His arms! This year, let's celebrate the true meaning of Christmas and give Jesus a Christmas present -- the peoples of the earth. I know, that for many, this month can become busy and stressful, a time to endure. But, I pray that in all of the activity that we will never lose our innocence and childlike wonder. I pray that we don't forget to anticipate and celebrate Christmas like a child. When I was a little boy I couldn't wait till Christmas morning! There was such joy and excitement! Yet, for many of us, we have become so busy making a living, we have forgotten to live. Christmas has become "predictable". Yet, I believe in my heart that Christmas is supposed to be unpredictable. There wasn't anything predictable about an angel appearing to an unmarried teenage girl announcing her pregnancy. How normal was it for Joseph having to embrace a pregnancy that wasn't his? What about "shooing" away the sheep and goats, and clearing cow patties so his wife would have a place to give birth? Or how about becoming a refugee, spending two years trying to understand Egyptian? How do you entertain Persian royalty, or prepare for "light fingered" shepherds of questionable reputation? How predictable is it when "the Word becomes flesh"? Jesus was born so that we might have a genuine and full life. A recent film said, "Everyone dies, but not everyone lives!" This Christmas, let's become as children and truly live - joy, wonder, anticipation, excitement!! Maybe, just maybe, God wants to give us a Christmas gift this year. Something unpredictable! Just over two thousand years ago, the Prince of Peace was born and placed in a manger. The angels said, "Glory to God in the highest; peace on earth and goodwill toward men. This is the dream of God. He truly desires His life; His peace to be born in our lives, neighborhoods, countries, and this world. True ministry, however, is simply the overflow of a life lived in love with Jesus. We can't give what we don't have. We can only have true peace to the degree that we allow Jesus, the Prince of Peace to rule and reign in our hearts. Jesus said 'blessed are the peacemakers.' He did not say blessed are the peace lovers. This year, let us give blessing, instead of cursing. Let us love our enemies. Let's release hurt, anger, and unmet expectations, and give a Christmas gift of forgiveness and reconciliation. Centuries ago, a prophet named Isaiah, wrote, "You, Lord, give true peace to those who depend on You, because they trust you." -- Isaiah 26:3 Holy Bible, NCV. This year, we pray that your time with family and friends will be special and free from the "Christmas rush and busyness" that is so often associated with this time of year. The increasing crescendo of our possessions, the ear-piercing noise of our busyness, and the soul-smothering volume of our endless activity so often drown out the peace of God that passes all understanding. All of us will, no doubt, be thinking of finding the right gift for one another - something personal, something unusual, something "just right". Yet, sometimes in the midst of investing tremendous amounts of time, effort, and energy in nicely wrapped packages, gorgeous gifts, ornate cards, even church meetings, we forget to take time to truly be with others. Perhaps, we are physically present, but our hearts and minds are elsewhere. Someone once said, "In America, everyone has watches but no time; in much of the rest of the world watches are not plentiful, but people have time." Just as God has given us the gift of His presence, let's give ourselves to Him and one another. Let's consider others. Let's look at others and listen to them. Let's cry for, smile at, and reach out to one another and the precious people of this world. Let's all seek to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd and follow Him as He leads us where He will. May God richly bless you as you celebrate with loved ones and friends the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! We pray that wherever you are and however you say it that you will know and understand the true meaning of Christmas. God has a dream, "Peace on earth, and goodwill toward all men", but it happens one person at a time. We can only experience the amount of real peace to the degree that we allow Jesus Christ the "Prince of Peace" to rule and reign in our own individual lives. The greatest gift that was ever given was when God paid for our sins on the cross. You can receive His peace; His forgiveness and love right now. Just ask Him ...
"Dear God, I know that I need You. Please let us know if you prayed this prayer. You can click right here. We would love to know of your commitment so that we can pray for you and celebrate with you! If we can help you as you seek to follow Jesus, or if you would like to have the words of Jesus in the New Testament or a Bible, you can contact us at our address, or by clicking here - it's free! We’re not a organization that you can join; you’ve joined God! He’s enough! Our prayer is that we will all care for and help each other, living together in the love, kindness, peace, and the beauty of Jesus. Love,
mercy and grace from Jesus Christ our Lord. God
Bless You!! "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" Luke 2:14 NKJV |
Photos
Merry
Christmas!!