“PEACE AND JOY”

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 607

November 29, 2022//

Christmas is a season when the world celebrates, most take some holidays, and many celebrate with family and friends.

Much of the world just sees this season as another time to celebrate. But whether they realize it or not they are helping the world pause for a day or two in honor of the Lord of Lords, our Savior being born.

He came to take all our sins, past, present, and future to the cross and defeat hell and the grave by being resurrected on the third day. Without being born He could not have suffered and died for us.

But as the world system ignores the real meaning of Christmas, what about those who claim Jesus as our Savior?

We know we give gifts because Jesus was God’s gift to the world! We know we put up lights because Jesus is the light of the world! Our trees point upward to the one who Loves us best! We know we help others more this time of year because the Father sent the ultimate help in the form of a Lord of Compassion and Love shown as He healed, helped, and restored hurt and hurting people. We Love because He Loves.

May I ask you today to look at your own heart and your own celebrations of the wonderful season of our Saviors birth.

Some dread the season because of loneliness. Some hate the season because they feel stressed to do, to give, to be all things to all the people around them. Some want to celebrate but are hung up on the fact that it has become so commercialized they cannot see past that! Some want it all to just be over!

In the gospel of Luke, we see shepherds who were guarding their sheep getting the amazing announcement.

Luke 2:10-14 (KJV)
¹⁰ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
¹² And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

I want you to notice a few of the words or phrases in that scripture. “Fear Not”, “tidings of great joy”, “Christ the Lord’’, “Glory to God”, On earth Peace”!

Does that sound like you or the people you know or the people around you as you shop or work? Or even your home?

We are NOT TO FEAR, because God has everything under control. Ask and listen to His guidance! We are to HAVE GREAT JOY as we make this season all about Him!

It is the joy of a heart that knows it is not about presents but about His PRESENCE in us and our family. It is the sharing of the truths of how we can be joyful in a season of stress and pressure. What a great opportunity to share the real meaning of the season with those who may be looking at your joy with questions!

We serve CHRIST THE LORD and show others the way as we not only sing or speak GLORY TO GOD but live it out through our life!

We can spread PEACE everywhere we are this season if we will walk in the peace Jesus gives. Our home is the most valuable place to show the peace of God and the Joy this season brings. We should intentionally turn our home into a place of theunderstanding and celebration of the Love of the Creator God who made a way that we can come to Him as His beloved children.

It is not about gifts, food, lights, decorations, gatherings or who has the best stuff!

It is about a heart of adoration and praise to the one who was born in a stable, laid in a manger, and showed us the way to live and then died and rose again to make it possible to have abundant and eternal life, not just in the future but right now, in the most wonderful time of the year!

May we, as the wisemen did in Matthew, FOLLOW HIS STAR, FALL DOWN AND WORSHIP, and GIVE HIM THE BEST WE HAVE!

Our worship, adoration, and obedience are what He desires. If we give our family members and friends gifts of great value, they are just things. But if we show and celebrate with Jesus as the center, this truth will never get old, never wear out and will carry us and them into eternity with Jesus!

May Jesus be the center of your life, your family, your home, your preparations, and your celebrations! Keep Christ in Christmas!

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Father, in Jesus’ name I come with a heart full of Praise and Adoration. I thank you that we can celebrate the Savior of the World this Wonderful season of the year! Help each of us to keep our eyes and our hearts centered on you and your wonderful plan for our lives. In the midst of hustle and bustle may we snuggle up to you, Lord God Almighty, and not struggle with the things the world thinks are important! I give you Glory, I give you Praise, and I thank you that in the middle of a chaotic world around us we can walk in Peace because the giver of Peace lives in us! Amen!

Celebrate Jesus!

Love, MeMaw