Welcome!
Monday, December 24, 2012
Passage: John 1 (NIV 84)
Today: Don’t send Him away after Christmas!
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood[a] it. (John 1, NIV 84)-emphasis added
Jesus came into the world about 2000 years ago; He came as light in the darkness, but the darkness failed to understand or ackowledge Him!
In the same way, most people who “celebrate” His “birth” have no idea who He is!
One group of people celebrate Christmas but they don’t believe in Easter
Truly celebrating the birth of Jesus is about making the “manger” of our heart available for Him; let people who meet us see Jesus!
If Jesus is truly within us, it is no longer “I”, but Christ who lives and rules in you and me!
I am not expecting people to “worship” me, but Him. If I expect people to “worship” me, I need a re-birth!
Because only God is to be worshipped!
10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. (Matt 1, NIV 84)-emphasis added
The Magi worshipped Him(Jesus) and nobody else!
There was celebration in the manger, not in Herod’s Palace; Herod (kind of) knew who Jesus was
When most people of the world have no problem celebrating Christmas, they know the Jesus of Christmas, but only few know the Jesus of Easter-the one who overcame death, rose up and is still living and interceeding for us; billions of dollars are spent in celebration on the birtrhday of Jesus, most of which He does not appreciate!
This Jesus is not one who visits our homes and hearts during Christmas and then leave; He wants to stay with us for the rest of our life!
Do we want Jesus to “leave us alone” after Christmas and come back only next Christmas?
This Christmas, tell Him “don’t leave me alone Lord Jesus; just stay with(in) me!”
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only,[d] who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1, NIV 84)
In fact, He never wants to leave us alone!
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Mat 28, NIV 84)
TThis is a good time to share some of our time and other gifts with others-to visit some and to be with them; make a phone-call to that relative/friend who you haven’t called for a long time; visit that person who is on sick-bed!
Have a blessed time!
BG
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for coming to this world, for loving us andyou’re your decision never to leave or forsake us; for without you, the world is in darkness-pitch darkness; you showed us love, life and light. Thank you! Amen.
If you only know the “Jesus of Christmas” and not the “Jesus of Easter”, you need to really know Him!