The Christmas Journey
Can you believe it is December already? We always say that as if we are surprised that life continues to move along.
I think many people would just like time to stand still. If that happened, we would not get any older (a good thing for some of us), our children would stay young and innocent, relationships would last forever and we would enjoy life just like it is today! I know that I wish that sometimes for my life and I am sure others do as well. On the flipside, there are times when time and life just seem to fly by…we watch our children grow and wonder where the time went and how they got to be so big and “grown up”!
We are constantly on a journey and that journey is meaningless without the journey of God’s son coming to the earth – Jesus’ journey that began some 2000 years ago when he came to the earth as a baby. Matthew’s gospel records, “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit… 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” (Matthew 1:18 & 21, NIV). Jesus was born into a loving earthly family and was raised in a Jewish home. The son of a carpenter, he learned his father’s trade while always keeping the will of his Heavenly Father in the forefront of his life. His journey was one of surrender to the will of his Heavenly Father. Matthew states the purpose of Jesus’ birth and life on earth…to be the Savior of the World. Jesus confirmed this when he said, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19: 10, NIV). The Apostle Paul reflected on Jesus’ life when he says, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…” (1 Timothy 1: 5, NIV). God had a purpose for Jesus’ life and Jesus surrendered to that purpose for his life here on this earth.
As we live on this journey, I trust you will be mindful of God’s purpose for your life. Don’t let life run by you with no meaning or purpose…don’t let life control you with its busyness and commotion. Allow God to be the focal point of your life. Jesus came to bring salvation to you and your entire family. He gave his life to forgive your sins and give you a new life. As we embrace the love of Jesus for us, we are called to live our lives surrendered to the journey that God has planned for you. As we live in a relationship with his Son Jesus Christ, we find meaning and ultimately direction for everything we do. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14: 6, NIV). Trust in the one who journeyed to the earth for you.
As you journey through this Christmas season, it is my prayer that you will know the love, peace and joy of a relationship with Jesus Christ. Have a joyous and merry Christmas.
Pastor Greg