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Immanuel
Merry Christmas from Stepping It Up! We're right in the midst of celebrating our Savior's birth, and most likely running 100 miles an hour with our hair on fire. It is my Christmas prayer for each of us to make quiet moments during this special, sacred season to ponder the miracle of the first coming of Jesus.
Christmas takes us back to the beginning of a new beginning, doesn't it? After all, Christianity started because God sent his son (John 3:16). We wouldn't proclaim to follow Jesus if he hadn't come to earth, died, and rose again. We are born again because Jesus joined the human race. His entry into the world also kicked off the great phenomenon we call "gift-giving"!! God wrapped himself up in skin and presented the greatest gift ever known to humanity. Can't you imagine a little tag saying, "Merry Christmas, world! Love your Father"?
Mary experienced the miracle of Christmas up close and very personal. God still desires Christmas to touch each of us intimately and profoundly. No heavenly gift cards here (not that gift cards are bad!). Mary and Joseph, the shepherds and the magi, even king Herod were forever impacted by the birth of the Messiah. How will this Christmas affect you? We all have a choice. Will you open the ultimate gift of love anew with wonder and fascination or let it get buried beneath things to get done? The innkeeper of Bethlehem's "motel" missed out on a wondrous soul-changing experience when he shut the door in the face of the heart of Christmas.
Giving and receiving presents reflect the generosity of God in the giving of his only begotten Son, Jesus. It's so much fun to see a loved one's delight when they open a special gift. Our heavenly Father anticipates our reception of his most beloved possession. Jesus embodied the fullness of who God is (Colossians 2:9:10; Hebrews 1:3). He possesses all love, power, authority, compassion, grace, and mercy from heaven. Talk about the perfect gift! Because of Jesus, we can have "God with us" in every facet of life. Not just when we go to the "temple" as in the Old Testament days. Praise God for now we are the temple of God (1 Cor. 6:19)! God wants to be present in our every day lives all the time in every way.
Through Jesus, God provided salvation for all who believe on his name (Acts 4:12). Not only from the punishment of hell, but also from the flames of hopelessness, meaninglessness, and selfishness. Ever wonder why Christmas time can often be the most difficult time of the year? The battle heats up as Satan is reminded that he has been duped, defeated, and disabled by a tiny baby lying in a manger. Of course Jesus Christ didn't stay there, but ultimately delivered the fatal blow to the enemy's head when he came off that cross and walked out of the tomb three days later. The undoing of darkness began as the light of heaven shone among the land of sorrow and death (Matthew 4:16).
Now we are the light of the world (Matt. 5:14). Just as the star shone from the east to declare the presence of the Messiah, so must we shine as stars in the universe (Phil. 2:14-16). Triumphant we stand through the Christmas season and beyond because love has come!
Shanda Grubb-Gobeli
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