“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:8-14)
Today is the day that Christians around the world celebrate a birthday. We celebrate a birth that happened over 2,000 years ago: the birth of Jesus, the Christ child.
The shepherds, to whom the angel appeared in the fields to announce the birth of Jesus, traveled to Jesus’ birthplace to celebrate His birth and with them they brought Him gifts.
“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.” (Matthew 2:11)
Today, we still carry on the tradition of giving gifts in celebration of Jesus’ birth. But the gifts we give are to each other and are symbolic of those gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh that the three Magi brought to Jesus.
But sometimes the giving and receiving of gifts becomes the focus of Christmas and takes away from the real reason we celebrate this day: we are celebrating a gift that God has given to us.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17)
Over 2,000 years ago, God gave us the gift of His son.
Christmas is one of the most festive and family centered holidays of the year for Christians. Everywhere you look you see images of happy families gathered together on Christmas Day. And it is for that reason that Christmas can lead to loneliness and sadness for some.
This is not only the time of the year that we celebrate Christmas but it is the time of the year that we might miss the most the people that we cannot be with. There are many people who, for various reasons, cannot be with their family. Loved ones may have passed away since the last Christmas, a family member might be stationed in the military overseas, while yet others may be estranged from members of their families due to relationship issues.
While being with our immediate family is important, it is more important to remember that we are all part of one big family: the family of God. And no matter who we are, where we are, who has passed before us, or will come after us, we all have one thing in common that binds us as a much larger family: God’s love for us.
So, if today brings you loneliness and the feeling of missing those family members who you love, remember that you are part of a larger family: the family of God. And it is through being a part of His family that our sorrows can be taken away. Because, no matter where we are or who we are missing, we all remain connected together through our hearts and souls by being a part of God’s family.
Today I, like many others, will give and get presents. The presents that I give will be given from my heart. They are not just presents that I bought because I had to, they are presents that I bought out of a desire to share God’s and my love with those around me. And the presents I receive I will also accept with love and gratitude.
But the most special present that I will try to share today is a present that was wrapped in swaddling clothes a few centuries ago. It is a present that, although it was wrapped once a long time ago, can be ours for unwrapping every day of our lives. It is the gift of love that God has shown for me and everyone else through the giving of His son to the world. It is a gift that I accept with true humility and grace.
What can I give back to God for the gift that He gave me over 2,000 years ago and the gifts that He continues to give me every day? For me, I will continue to listen for His whisper and accept His inspiration that He gives me in my writing. By continuing to spread His love and helping to make the part of the world around me a better place, I think I am making a good start in trying to give back to God and I will try to do so not only during the Christmas season but throughout the whole year.
Merry Christmas to all!
i look forward each day to your writings and thought for the day! merry christmas and a warm and happy new year!! thank you so much!
My we all know the power of the lord Jesus Christ
Your daily thought has become a part of my every morning! Your words are always special… but today… they are a gift. I thank you for what you do each and every day. I love stories and this one is especially meaningful to my heart…on a Christmas that holds bittersweet new beginnings… bitter for loved ones past… sweet for new adventures about to begin… with but a whisper of the heart to guide me.
Merry Christmas, Elmer… to you and all of your family!!
I read your writings & wisdom almost everyday. I find them to be very helpful for me. I wish you a Merry Christ-mas & a holy & healthy New year!
We have prayed for a sword, and YHVH hath granted it. We have prayed for the Spirit and YHVH is most gracious. For the sword cannot be without Spirit for it will only be a sword.
Thank God for Christ!!!
I was checking out this Website. There are some very beautiful pictures and stories. I have a scripture in the Bible I would love to share. The Bible is the inspired word of God. God breathed. This is in Matthew 12:46-50. NASB 46 While He was speaking to the crowds, behold, His mother and brothers were standing outside, seeking to speak with Him. 47 Someone said to Him, “Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside awaiting to speak with You.” 48 But Jesus answered the one who was telling Him and said, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers? 49 And searching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, “Behold My mother and My brothers! 50 “For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, He is My brother and sister and mother. What Jesus was saying is there is no man on this earth greater than each other if you have ask to have a personal relationship. The only true peace you will ever have in your life is through this relationship. God does not promise that you won’t have problems and heartaches He promises that with Jesus you will have peace in any situation. It’s all about Jesus. To answer some thoughts Jesus was a virgin birth from the spirit of God to Mary. After Jesus was born Mary had other sons with Joseph being His half brothers.Joseph was the earthly father of Jesus. Read in Luke in the New Testament in the Bible. New after Jesus birth and the Old Testament before His birth. Isaiah known as one of the greater prophets is the first book the found in the Qumran Scrolls. He prophesied, which is being told by God has a great amount of news of the Messiah or Jesus. When you read the Bible you will amazingly find out that the great philosophers that write books of the future took them right out of the Bible. John 14: 6 Jesus said I am the way the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. When the English people left England it was because they were forced to follow the Church of England. God warns to stay away from religions because they ask have there own rules. So they left England because they were believers in Christ. Sol but 2 who signed the constitution had given their hearts to Jesus. They had ask for forgiveness of their sins and ask Jesus to in their lives 4ever. Most of the Constitution comes directly from the Bible. Medias of this The United States of America thrived and became the greatest Nation in the world. If you are aft least close to sixty you will remember seeing are country continually go down hill. In 1960’s they took prayer out of school.Passed the right to milk innocent babies and tool The Pledge of Alliance out school because it One Nation Under God. America is no longer a thieving country. We became the best because of what Jesus did for us He died on a cross after being horribly beat for giving us away to have peace. Now we have children having children.Finding families in gangs. Having no idea who Jesus is.This court needs to get down on their knees and ask God to forgive us of the mess we have let this country become because we kicked God out of the country.From angry people that hate God for everything bad. What a misconception God cannot be around sin. If your parents would have taught you the real love His love has no God loves you just as you are but yes to follow Him you have to have that same unconditional love. Please pray for Salvation of both Nominees. One an admired Muslim and one Mormon. Sadly both manmade religions both cults. There is only one God the creator of Heavens and earth. The Creator of all men. God would not force us to love Him. We live in a fallen world tours why God sent His Son.Through Him and Him alone we can find peace in any situation. Sadly the world is sol about making themselves better then someone else. Personally it is well known that the m most wealthy have the sande question. Did anyone really love them. Dig further and you’ll find out that the self made Millionaires the ones that started out scrubbing toilets and getting their hands dirty they did it with and thrive the Grace of our everlasting God, His Son and the Holy Spirit the comforter that Jesus left after raising from the dead and ascending back with the Father are wonderful God. Creator of good. Love to sol. I have been through almost everything and I am so glad for everything because I have learned author a doubt that I can do anything through Jesus Christ who strengthens me.
I have a smart phone as my computer. So I most likely have not noticed some words that were not what I planned. I use swype and you run your finger over a whole bunch of letters and if you don’t see it sometimes it puts a word in that it thinks you want. If you see anything like this please ask me. If it doesn’t make sense it was probably a word I didn’t want. One more thing. The Bible is just Gibberish words to the ones unsaved. The only way to heaven is top be saved through asking for a personal relationship with Jesus. He never walks away from us, it’s we that walk away. Witout question all you have to say is Jesus I need you. Ask for forgiveness. During times when you feel lonely Jesus is most likely carrying you. Check out poem Footprints.