MERRY CHRISTMAS

I wanted to be the first one to wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS and I want to share a scripture/picture/idea with you. I may have been beat to the punch about being the first to wish you a Merry Christmas because "Christmas" is everywhere already. But when you think of it, is the world around us celebrating the real true Christmas? I have to wonder?

Luke 2:9-12
And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. (10) And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. (11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (12) And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

We as Christians know that Christmas is more than sales and shopping and decorations and baking. Christmas is a time to reflect on how God showed His great love for us. We celebrate the birth of the Christ child. God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to be born. His birth brought great joy to the world. Shepherds, wise men, and angels all shared in the excitement of knowing about this great event. They knew this was no ordinary baby. The prophets had told of His coming hundreds of years before. The star stopped over Bethlehem just to mark the way for those who were looking for this special child.

As we start off this Christmas season, I pray that you will be able to find the true meaning of Christmas. A scripture I have thought on for this season is this: 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 “May the God who gives us peace make you completely his, and keep your whole being, spirit, soul and body, free from all fault at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you will do it, for he is faithful! 

I am praying you all will see the symbolism in all of our cultures celebrating. (The gifts, the star on top of the tree, decorating, the nativity, etc.) I also pray He will give you PEACE and keep you this season. 

I would also encourage you to find a good devotional for this season so you may fully reflect on the first Christmas story and experience God's character. There are so many out there- in book form or on apps.

May God show His abundant love over you this season, May you be able to fill up full and pour it out on others.

Much love,
the6Stricklands