This Christmas season… don’t just look for an event… or a party… look for an ENCOUNTER with Jesus! Make sure you have CHRIST in CHRISTmas!
Have you ever seen those big Christmas tree displays people put up in public places with lots of colorful gifts piled up underneath? Pretty cool hey… until you try picking up a gift to find they’re all empty. They’re just decorations. In many ways that is what Christmas is for a lot of people. They got the colors, the decorations, the family gathering, the food, and the fanfare, but when it is all opened up … it feels empty, sad, and disappointing. WHY? As nice as a colorful box is … people want the gift to have something in it.
Without Jesus, Christianity is just another empty box religion. For the same reason nobody can truly celebrate Christmas without an ENCOUNTER with the one it is actually about.
Christmas is God saying He wants to be with us, and He wants us to be with Him!
He is Emmanuel… GOD WITH US!!! I love Christmas because it’s the season of salvation! … Jesus Christ our Saviour is born. The angel said to Joseph: “You are to give Him the name Jesus, for He will save HIS people from their sins.” [Matthew 1:21] Yeshua (means God delivers) + Saviour + Emmanuel (means God with us) = Therefore Christmas proclaims SALVATION HAS COME TO US!
God sent His Son to earth born as a baby… not because we asked Him… but because He cares and loves us! “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” [Matthew 1:23] God gave Jesus to mankind as the first Christmas present! No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him. [1 Corinthians 2:9] Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. [James 1:17] He is Emmanuel… GOD WITH US!!! … And that should make us want to worship, obey, and adore Him!!!
Those LOOKING for God will ALWAYS experience Christmas very differently to those looking for other things!
Jesus said:… Seek first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. [Matthew 6:33] The “SEEK” here is the Greek word zeteo. It is a command to pursue, and it requires a constant attitude of active looking.
When the shepherds working in the field heard the great news the angels told them they dropped everything to go and seek an encounter with Jesus! [Luke 2:15-17] The wise men and the shepherds understood… God is calling me!
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. [Luke 1:41] In making room for Mary, Elizabeth made room for Jesus! And in making room for Jesus, she was filled with the presence of God Himself!
When you make room for Jesus… He will always turn your event into an encounter!
In a world where busyness abounds and hearts are often stirred to focus on other things, it can be hard to keep Jesus FIRST and go to Him FIRST. Jesus promised that if we looked for Him FIRST, before OTHER THINGS, everything we needed in life would be available to us.
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. [John 15:7-8]
If we will allow Him, our Heavenly Father can turn every moment into an experience in the fullness of His presence. When we choose to set our eyes on Jesus, we get to see the wonders of His love.
For those who decide to daily make room for Jesus…
to seek Him FIRST
to love Him MOST
… every morning will be like Christmas!
May you know the fullness of your Heavenly Father’s presence during this blessed season of His worship encounters.
Nico Smit – rivercitycc.com.au
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