Christmas

Christmas Already?

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Luke 2:10 ESV

Okay I know it is at least a month early, but I am posting this now in order to offer a resource that you might consider for friends or family who need a large print devotional. Though the big-tech companies seem bent on converting us all to on-line reading, there is much to be said for actual books we can hold in our hands and make our own by scribbling in the margins. Each Christmas and Easter for the last several years I have put together a devotional in a large print version for the people I visit in various kinds of long term care. Even some of my friends in our small prayer group seem to prefer this for themselves when we purchase a number to be given away at the four communities which I visit. This year the collection is a 30 day reader titled, “Finding Jesus This Christmas” – because with all the confusion filling our world, we wonder, “Where is Jesus in the middle of this mess? ” We may wonder where the wise men came from or why shepherds seemed to be the only people who could hear the angel choir. Though Christmas is filled with questions, we still sense a mysterious truth who is wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. This Christmas is a day to pause and remember that no matter our situation or how crazy our world has become – God still remembers us!

You can follow the link below for the large print version or search by title and author of Amazon for the e-book and standard size print versions.

God’s Promises in a Covid World

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Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” Matthew 2:19 ESV

Somedays we may wonder if and when we will ever emerge from the Covid-19 world. Some may be looking forward with the hope that Christmas will not be cancelled again. The rest of us are just longing for the good old days when a world-wide epidemic was simply the subject of science fiction. But the reality is that forces were trying to cancel God’s promises and destroy Christmas long before King Herod’s murderous plot and the wise men’s journey to Bethlehem.

As the sweet baby Jesus lay in the manger surrounded by shepherds, Joseph and Mary knew little of the dangers that lay ahead. They went to sleep that night trusting God just as they had always done. Then while they slept God sent His angel to warn them and direct them on their journey to safety.

So, as we face our dangers spelled out by daily new case counts, death rates and fears, remember that God also has a plan for us. Just as He kept Christmas alive in spite of Herod’s plans, so He will keep both Christmas and his plan for you and me alive no matter what comes. Even if our malls and restaurants close again or if we are unable to light candles together at church on Christmas Eve, God will keep His promise alive in our hearts forever if we will only trust in Him!

The Light of Christmas

/ pastorpete51 / 3 Comments

In him was life and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.  John 1:4-5 ESV

Often our Christmas celebrations end on Christmas Eve. We’ve remembered the stable, the star, the wise men shepherds and Mary. But Christmas morning after the presents are opened and the Christmas dinner is over, everyone starts to watch football, makes a few phone calls or even just takes a nap. The same happened in Bethlehem. The very next day the shepherds went back to their sheep, the angels disappeared; Joseph probably got a room at the inn and life pretty much got back to normal – or did it?

The Bible tells us that in Jesus was life and that life was the light of men. Did you ever stop and wonder when that tiny baby begin to shine God’s light? Could it have happened as Mary comforted his cries as they fled from Herod’s soldiers? Could it have begun in Egypt where they lived as immigrants and fugitives? Maybe it began at the temple where He was asking the elders questions or at the river where John baptized him. The Bible isn’t specific about all the details, but it tells us that in some miraculous way God’s light was shining in Jesus through every big day and small and that all through the ages the darkness has never put it out…

Merry Christmas and God Bless you. May His light shine in your heart today!