What makes Christmas so merry and the holidays so happy? Could it be the Christmas carols that are played from November 1st through the end of the year? Is it the traditions shared with family? Perhaps it’s the trip to Bronner's to pick out the annual family ornament? Imaginably it’s a snowy afternoon cutting down a Christmas tree and drinking hot cocoa? Maybe it’s going to watch your children or grandchildren sing in the Christmas musical at school or church? How about an evening driving around with festive music while looking at the best light displays? Or the bellowing of the steam engine as the Christmas train pulls into the station at Crossroads? By chance the snow falling at night as you play in the yard against the warmly lit living room window? A candle lit Christmas Eve service like the one you’ll attend today? Taking time off of work to travel or spending more time with those you love? Sitting down on Christmas morning with a cup of coffee to see the magical look in the children’s eyes? Tearfully yet joyfully remembering the days of old as your shared these moments with those since passed?
There is much to be merry about this Christmas season, there are happy times to remember and reflect upon, and we’ve not even approached the most magnificent truth to be merry about.
“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! "Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store." "Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!"
What makes Matthew chapter one so special, is that it gives us more than a few words, but tells us so much of the story and gives more reason for our Christmas to be merry. From Abraham to Isaac, Rahab to Ruth, David to Jacob, and Joseph to Jesus, a story is told. God had a plan, a purpose, and providence from the very beginning – To send his son, Jesus, into the world. Through a lineage of sinners came the Savior of the world – To be with us, to die for us, and to give us life and purpose through him alone. “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). (Mt.1:21-22).
Here are three Christmas encouragements from Matthew:
1.)Your Christmas is merry because God has a plan for you and has always had a plan for you. From the beginning of time, God knows you, cares for you, and loves you. He cares about the little things in your life, and he cares about the big things in your life. If you’re reading this today, he is not finished with you yet. Stay the course.
2.)Your Christmas is merry because he came to save you. There is no greater truth than this. It’s what Christmas is all about and it’s what life is all about. “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.” Not only does your today and tomorrow look different when you realize that truth, but so does your eternity.
3.)Your Christmas is merry because he came to be with you. If you've believed upon Jesus to save you from your sin, then he is with you now and forevermore. You have his help while you’re here, you have his healing in your heart, and you have his hope for eternity. He is walking with you through good times and bad.
God has always had a plan for you, he came to save you, and he is with you. Have a very merry Christmas, indeed.
There is much to be merry about this Christmas season, there are happy times to remember and reflect upon, and we’ve not even approached the most magnificent truth to be merry about.
“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! "Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store." "Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!"
What makes Matthew chapter one so special, is that it gives us more than a few words, but tells us so much of the story and gives more reason for our Christmas to be merry. From Abraham to Isaac, Rahab to Ruth, David to Jacob, and Joseph to Jesus, a story is told. God had a plan, a purpose, and providence from the very beginning – To send his son, Jesus, into the world. Through a lineage of sinners came the Savior of the world – To be with us, to die for us, and to give us life and purpose through him alone. “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). (Mt.1:21-22).
Here are three Christmas encouragements from Matthew:
1.)Your Christmas is merry because God has a plan for you and has always had a plan for you. From the beginning of time, God knows you, cares for you, and loves you. He cares about the little things in your life, and he cares about the big things in your life. If you’re reading this today, he is not finished with you yet. Stay the course.
2.)Your Christmas is merry because he came to save you. There is no greater truth than this. It’s what Christmas is all about and it’s what life is all about. “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.” Not only does your today and tomorrow look different when you realize that truth, but so does your eternity.
3.)Your Christmas is merry because he came to be with you. If you've believed upon Jesus to save you from your sin, then he is with you now and forevermore. You have his help while you’re here, you have his healing in your heart, and you have his hope for eternity. He is walking with you through good times and bad.
God has always had a plan for you, he came to save you, and he is with you. Have a very merry Christmas, indeed.