What Do You Want Out of Christmas?

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What Do You Want Out of Christmas?

Obviously,  Christmas Day is fast approaching.     What do you want  to get  out of it?

The kids want toys.     The adults want stuff.    Then they ask,  “Is there more?”

Something is seriously missing  and they don’t know  what it is.     We haven’t even unwrapped  the best present  of all.     We don’t even know  where it is hidden.     But,  we know it is somewhere  —  we just know  it is hidden somewhere.    We can feel it  in the air.

We walk right by it  without seeing it.     Why  —  we even looked the other way  because we thought  there was nothing worthwhile  checking  out “there”  —  right in front  of our noses.    Sometimes  we can even have a big,  brightly shining light beamed  right at it  —  but we don’t think  we “see” anything worthy  of looking at.

All the stuff we unwrapped  has not satisfied.     Paper is strewn everywhere  in a tangled mess  of ribbons.     We are stuffed full  of goodies  —  but we’re strangely hungry  for “something”.     Bummer!     What could it be?     We want something more  out of this thing  called “Christmas”.

And an angel  of the Lord  suddenly stood before them,  and the glory  of the Lord  shone around them;  and they were terribly frightened.

And the angel said  to them,  “Do not be afraid;  for behold,  I bring you good news  of a great joy  which shall be  for all the people;  for today  in the city of David  there has been born  for you  a Savior,  who is Christ  the Lord.    And this will be a sign  for you:  you will find a baby  wrapped in cloths,  and lying  in a manger.”    Luke 2:9-12

Receive your gift  of joy  and salvation.     Unwrapped it carefully  as you examine  the marvelous wonder  of how Jesus Christ  is truly the fulfillment  of so many age-old prophecies.     All those prophecies were made  just for you  so that you  could be mighty sure  that Jesus alone  truly does save us  from all  of our sins  —  without exception.     We just need  to reach out  to God  and accept our gift  of Christ’s sacrificial love  and forgiveness  in humble repentance  and a thankful heart.

Christmas  is NOT a Christmas  until we receive Jesus  in our hearts.

People of all kinds  are joining the frenzy  of gift buying,  decorating,  preparing meals,  traveling,  etc.,  etc.,  etc.     So many will miss  the whole point  once again.     This season is worthless  —  unless we honestly  accept the Christ Child  in our hearts.     Our Savior  is a gift  straight from the heart  of God Almighty.

Look for the free gift  of salvation  in Jesus Christ  —  find it waiting  for you  in the gospels and Old Testament prophecies  —  see it  for what it is  in truth  —  accept it  and live.     We will get  what our hearts  really want  out of Christmas  when we get Jesus  in our hearts.

When we receive  the gift  of the Christ,  we say,  “Hallelujah!     Lord,  thank You  for setting us free  from all the trappings  of this world,  so that we might truly live  for You  in joy  and peace.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

 

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

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