Christmas – Page 5 – Rising with the Son

Highly Regarded by God

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. (Luke 2:8-9 NLT) They were poor and not highly esteemed by society. Yet one night, God chose to announce the glorious newsContinueContinue reading “Highly Regarded by God”

An Encounter with Scrooge

“To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person. If someone slaps you in the face, stand there and take it. If someoneContinueContinue reading “An Encounter with Scrooge”

What Would You Give?

A few months ago, I met up with a good friend of mine who I knew had been running away from God for quite some time. Not long ago, her life took a different turn and she had turned her back on God. And although I had known it for a while, I felt uncomfortableContinueContinue reading “What Would You Give?”

Have You Unwrapped His Gift Yet?

“You love those who hate you and hate those who love you. You have made it clear today that the commanders and their men mean nothing to you. I see that you would be pleased if Absalom were alive today and all of us were dead.” (2 Samuel 19:6 NIV) When King David was toldContinueContinue reading “Have You Unwrapped His Gift Yet?”

Don’t Keep Him There

And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. (Luke 2:52 NIV) Nativity scenes are great visual reminders of the Christmas story. But as beautiful as the nativity story is I’m thankful that Jesus didn’t remain a baby in a manger. Sadly, there are people who like to keep HimContinueContinue reading “Don’t Keep Him There”

The Perfect Gift

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15 NIV) I don’t know about you, but I’ve never once opened a gift, no matter how nice and expensive it was, and thought to myself, It’s perfect! However, God’s gift is perfect. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one andContinueContinue reading “The Perfect Gift”

Make Room for Him

And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. (Luke 2:7 NIV) Years ago, Mary and Joseph searched for a place where Jesus could be born. After a long search, He was eventually born inContinueContinue reading “Make Room for Him”

Don’t Forget the Birthday Boy

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. (Luke 2:11 NIV) I was really looking forward to my birthday a few years ago. I was turning 30, a huge milestone, especially for a Christian girl like me who had read about the amazing storiesContinueContinue reading “Don’t Forget the Birthday Boy”

Love Came Down at Christmas

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 4:10 NIV) My brother, who is probably one of the greatest philosophers I know, once said that we shouldn’t have to look very far to find love because itContinueContinue reading “Love Came Down at Christmas”

God Knew You Could Handle It

For those of you who ever wondered what the boy Jesus was like, the movie, The Young Messiah, will give you a glimpse of His childhood and the joys and struggles that Mary and Joseph faced of raising an exceptional child. As Jesus grows and His power becomes known to others, Mary asks Joseph, “WhyContinueContinue reading “God Knew You Could Handle It”