ADVENT: "Reclaiming Christmas" -- Day 25

Advent:  Day 25:  “Christmas Eve:  Excitement . . . Anticipation . . . Joy!”

Scripture:  Revelation 21:1-7 – Focus verse:  “And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of GOD is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and GOD Himself will be among them” (Revelation 21:3).

It is appropriate that we end our Advent devotionals on this last day of Advent with this passage of scripture.  This is the ultimate purpose for the Christmas story.  GOD created us because He desires to have fellowship with us . . . He desires that we glorify His name because we find no greater joy than the love and fellowship He offers. 

JESUS paid the ultimate price so that we might enter into the “new heaven and the new earth . . . the Holy City of GOD” (vv. 1-2)!  And there we will experience the consummation of the wedding vows between GOD & His Bride (those of us in Christ) and we will be “made ready as a bride adorned for her husband” (v. 2).  I love this imagery!

This is the meaning of Christmas . . . GOD’s Christmas gifts to those who believe:

·        “Behold, the tabernacle of GOD is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and GOD Himself will be among them” (v.3).

·        “And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (v. 4).

·        “There will no longer be any death” (v. 4).

·        “There will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain” (v. 4).

·        “He is making all things new” (v. 5).

·        “It is done” (v. 6)!

·        “He will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost” (v. 6).

·        “He who overcomes will inherit these things” (v. 7).

·        “I will be his GOD and he will be my Son” (v. 7).

How can you not but weep . . . shout . . . dance . . . laugh uncontrollably . . . worship wildly (there will not be any worship in His presence that lulls one to sleep)! 

We miss Christmas because we have not grasped the depth of the darkness of our total depravity!  We miss Christmas because we do not comprehend the truth that GOD, the Creator of the heavens and the universe, has “tabernacled” among us . . . He is present in all His glory . . . and He has made all things new in our lives!  Christmas is GOD’s redemptive plan being initiated on earth so that He will become our GOD and we will become His son (children).

MERRY CHRISTMAS – Oh, may we celebrate it with wild abandon as never before!

ADVENT: Reclaiming Christmas -- Day 24

Advent:  Day 24:  "Christmas Moves us to Share GOD's Glory"

Scripture:  Isaiah 6

The context of this scripture is clearly the death of King Uzziah and Isaiah’s prophesy of the coming destruction of Israel at the hands of the Assyrians (722 B.C.) and the political maneuvering of the Syrians, and Jeremiah’s prophesy and the eventual Babylonian deportation of Judah prophesied by Jeremiah (586 B.C.).

As you read the brief contextual description below think about our current situation in this world, in our nation, and in the community around us:

 

GOD was calling Isaiah to prophesy loudly to the people to call them to repent from their wickedness.  Isaiah saw the glory of GOD Himself (vv. 1-4).  In the presence of holy GOD Isaiah saw his own depravity (v. 5).  The LORD heard his cry and took away his iniquity (vv. 6-7).  At this point Isaiah could not remain silent (v. 8).

The people were deaf and blind to GOD’s truth (vv. 9-10).  There would be devastation, desolation, and judgment (v. 11-12).  In the midst of this judgment there would be a faithful few, a remnant who would remain . . . “a stump whose holy seed is its stump” (v. 13).

It is important that we see the wickedness of our lives and the evil within the lives of everyone around us and the resulting confusion, despair, and suffering.  A very important part of the Christmas season is that the LORD has found favor upon those of us who are followers of JESUS.  Rather than hoarding GOD’s love and GOD’s grace for ourselves, it is imperative that we answer GOD’s call, just as Isaiah did. 

Part of the joy of Christmas is to share the Good News of Christmas with those around us.  A major way for us to do that is to focus on the real message of Christmas and submit to HOLY SPIRIT’s stirring within our soul with the glory of GOD.  As we are overwhelmed by GOD’s glory we will rise up and answer GOD’s call with gladness . . . “Here am I.  Send me!”

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Richard

ADVENT: Reclaiming Christmas -- Day 23

Advent:  Day 23:  “Christmas Day is the Birth of the Authentic Gospel”

Scripture:  “For I am not ashamed of the gospel for IT is the power of GOD for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.  For in it the righteousness of GOD is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘But the righteous man shall live by faith’” (Romans 1:16-17).

Christmas Day is the birth of the gospel.  JESUS’ life is the gospel.  In Matthew 16 we see this clearly presented:  “’ . . . But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the CHRIST, the SON of the living GOD.’  Jesus said, ‘You are Peter (Petros), and upon this rock (petra) I will build My Church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.  I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven’” (Matthew 16:16-19).

It is important that we fully understand what the gospel truly is.  The authentic gospel that Paul was speaking about in Romans 1:16 . . . “for IT is the power of GOD for salvation . . .” is JESUS CHRIST Himself (see Peter’s confession in Matthew 16:16).  The truth that JESUS is “the Christ, the Son of the living GOD” is the authentic gospel.  JESUS and JESUS alone is the power of GOD unto salvation!

The gospel is not a memorized evangelistic presentation or gospel track . . . the gospel is not a simple recitation of a sinner’s prayer . . . the gospel is not a list of “do’s and don’ts” . . . the gospel is not a full slate of programs and events offered by the local mega church (or any size church) . . . the gospel is not a set of laws, rules, or guidelines . . . the gospel is not the Ten Commandments (which, by GOD’s ordained plan, are impossible for us to keep) . . . the gospel is not calling the church to take a stand and fight against the most current hot topic being debated in our culture . . . and the gospel is not a well-designed strategy to implement a major church growth campaign.

The gospel is JESUS CHRIST . . . authentic heart/spirit belief that JESUS is the Christ, the Son of the living GOD (John 6:28-29; 1 John 3:4-5).  As we truly believe this gospel truth JESUS will abide within us (His name is HOLY SPIRIT) and we will abide in Him and as a result we will bear much fruit and apart from Him we cannot do anything (John 15:4-5; Galatians 5:22-23).  And this is how we know that we are the children of GOD, purchased by the blood of JESUS . . . we bear Spiritual fruit . . . the fruit of JESUS, which is JESUS “life-ing out” His life in us  and through us in the work of HOLY SPIRIT.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Richard            

ADVENT: Reclaiming Christmas -- Day 22

Advent:  Day 22:  “Christmas Means There Isn’t Anything Left For You To Do!”

Scripture:  “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

If JESUS were not lowly, He would not have been “obedient unto death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:5-8).  If JESUS had not been obedient to die for us, we would be crushed under the weight of our sins. 

JESUS lowers Himself to take our condemnation.  Listen to Paul’s statement in Romans:  “For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, GOD did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, wo do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:3-4).

That, my friend, is the Christmas story!  If it were not for JESUS’ coming into the world we would be left to fend for ourselves under the Law and in our flesh.  Under the curse of the Law (Galatians 3:13) . . . striving to do that which is required but is totally impossible for us to do.  But JESUS was able to do what we could not do and He became our perfect, spotless, blameless sacrificial lamb (1 Peter 1:19) and He destroyed our sin nature and He carried all our sins away as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:11-12).

One of the great joys of the Christmas story that truly overwhelms me is that we no longer need to sweat, work, labor, or strive to please GOD.  Everything required by GOD for our reconciliation with Him has truly been accomplished by JESUS Himself (John 19:30).  There really isn’t anything left for us to do as far as securing reconciliation with our Heavenly Father (Ephesians 2:8-10). 

Today would be a great day to sit down and read Hebrews 10.  Here’s a little sample:  “Be this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of JESUS CHRIST once for all (Hebrews 10:10).

Yes indeed . . . MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Richard

ADVENT: Reclaiming Christmas -- Day 21

Advent:  Day 21:  "Christmas is a Call to Death to Self"

Scripture:  Mark 10:32-45 – Focus verse:  “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

The context of the scripture for this devotional is the request by James and John (the two sons of Zebedee) to sit on JESUS’ right and left “in Your glory.”  It seems for most of us we struggle with the desire for greatness . . . to be known . . . to be recognized.  JESUS’ response to them was basically, “you guys are nuts . . . you have no idea what you’re asking!”

Then JESUS went on to say that even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve others in a totally sacrificial way.  Remember, this is the GOD/MAN . . . this is GOD who left His glory to become a man . . . to eventually die . . . but not simply to die but to die a criminal’s death.  JESUS demonstrated the ultimate sacrifice of Himself.

This is truly the message of Christmas.  But it doesn’t end there.  JESUS calls all those who would follow Him to also come to a place of absolute humility and self-denial unto death (Luke 9:23).  Death to flesh and to self is one of the most important indicators that we are truly born of the Spirit and that we are children of GOD.

Part of the good news of the Christmas story is that we do not have to strive to make this happen.  Actually, there isn’t anything in ourselves that can make it happen.  We can submit and yield to HOLY SPIRIT, but it is truly and fully the work of HOLY SPIRIT within us . . . not our work (Galatians 5:22-23).

During the final days of this Christmas season I want to challenge you to be more self-reflective.  If you see that you are living in a self-centered, self-serving way seek the LORD in repentance and ask HOLY SPIRIT to show you how you can die to yourself and yield to His life within you.  Also, look around at others around you . . . at your work place . . . in the stores as you shop . . . at your church . . . around your neighborhood.  Then ask yourself, “What can I do with my family to bless others?”  Then go do it!  It doesn’t have to be a big thing.

As you embrace the greatest Christmas gift ever . . . GOD’s redemption through JESUS . . . allow His Spirit to “give it forward” to everyone around you.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Richard

ADVENT: Reclaiming Christmas -- Day 20

Advent:  Day 20:  “Christmas and The Exchanged Life”

Scripture:  “Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning.  The Son of GOD appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:7-8).

This scripture passage presents a terrible dilemma and then presents GOD’s solution to the dilemma:  “the one who practices sin is of the devil!”  Whoa, who among us do not “practice” sin?  If this statement is true, and it is, then we are without hope.

But praise the LORD, GOD resolves the problem by establishing Christmas . . . “The Son of GOD appeared (Christmas Day, whatever the actual date) for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.” 

Here is the purpose of Christmas, “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin.  And if anyone sins (Is there any doubt that we will?), we have an Advocate with the Father, JESUS CHRIST the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world” (1 John 2:1-2).

So, we celebrate Christmas wildly and with abandon because JESUS has exchanged His life for our life . . . JESUS became our sin (put on our sin nature) in order that we might become His righteousness . . . this is the purpose of Christmas . . . this is the redemptive work of GOD (2 Corinthians 5:21).

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Richard

ADVENT: Reclaiming Christmas -- Day 19

Advent:  Day 19:  “May Christmas Drive you Crazy!”

Scripture:  “Therefore many other signs JESUS also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that JESUS is the CHRIST, the Son of GOD; and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:30-31).

As you read these Advent devotionals you can probably discern that I’m pretty bewildered by the fact that so many believers have become callous to the astonishing and shocking truth of the incarnation.  Something needs to happen to help us once more feel the awe, the fear, the astonishment, the wonder of GOD becoming flesh and blood, dwelling among us, for the purpose of suffering and dying a criminal’s death to purchase our redemption.

                                        

How dead we are!  How callous and unemotional to His glory and to this amazingly unbelievable story!  We really must repent!  There are many movies and fairy tales today like Star Wars, Star Trek, and the Harry Potter series bring us a greater thrill and sense of awe than the weirdest, crazy, strange, and eerie story of all.  All of those are fictional!  The Christmas story is reality!

My prayer is that HOLY SPIRIT will break into our hearts and into our experience in a frightening way to wake us up to the unimaginable reality of GOD and the ridiculous series of historical events that He orchestrated for our salvation.

One of the most exciting parts of GOD’s on-going-story-series of His redemptive work is that in an up-coming episode lightning is going to fill the sky from the rising of the sun until the setting of the sun and there is going to appear in the clouds One like a Son of Man with His mighty angels in flaming fire!  And we will see Him!

In that day, I can guarantee you, we will be filled with excitement, terror, astonishment, awe, and wonder!  Oh my friends, don’t continue to walk in present distraction from the hustle and bustle of the world around you.  Focus on the crazy weird ridiculous story of Christmas . . . be astonished . . . be overwhelmed . . . rejoice and celebrate wildly . . . JESUS the CHRIST has been born for our redemption!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Richard

ADVENT: Reclaiming Christmas -- Day 18

Advent:  Day 18:  “What’s the Big Deal about Christmas!”

Scripture:  “You say correctly that I am a king.  For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth.  Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice” (John 18:37). 

Several years ago my grandson (Christopher) and I were travelling together and we were having a theological discussion.  It was around Christmas time and so we were talking about the significance of the Christmas story.  I taught him the definition of the incarnation because he enjoys learning new words.  I’ll never forget the impact that discussion made on his life at that time.  The concept of GOD leaving glory to become a man and walk among us on the earth and to suffer and die was overwhelming to him.

For the life of me I cannot understand why so many are not more greatly impacted by this biblical truth:  That the Word became flesh, and dwelt (tabernacle) among us (John 1:14)!  It’s not like this is an everyday occurrence . . . as a matter of fact, it had never happened before and it will never happen again. 

                                   

The uniqueness of JESUS’ birth is that He did not originate at his birth.  He existed before He was born in a manger.  The personhood, the character, and the personality of JESUS existed before the man JESUS of Nazareth was born. 

JESUS’ birth was not a coming into being of a new person, but a coming into the world of an infinitely old person.  The mystery of the birth of JESUS is not merely that He was born of a virgin (though that pretty remarkable too!), but that the child born at Christmas was a person who existed from before the beginning of time . . . eternally with the Father (John 1:1-3; John 17:5; Colossians 1:13-17; Hebrews 1:2; 13:8).

This was GOD’s redemptive plan from the foundation of the world to give you and me the possibility of being re-united with Him in Heaven . . . to receive forgiveness for sin . . . to bring us eternal life and the most incredible life here and now!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Richard

ADVENT: Reclaiming Christmas -- Day 17

Advent:  Day 17:  “GOD is Forgetful!”

Scripture:  “Behold, days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah . . . I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their GOD and they will be My people” –Jeremiah 31:31-34

Another glorious reason why we celebrate the Christmas story with such abandon and recklessness is because the birth of JESUS was the earthly beginning of GOD orchestrating the coming together of His redemptive plan . . . to establish a new covenant between Himself and His people.

GOD is just and holy and separated from His people because of our sin.  Our dilemma is how shall we get right with a just and holy GOD? 

Through JESUS’ birth, suffering and death, burial, and resurrection GOD put our sinful nature on His Son, and judged them there so that He could put them out of His mind, and deal with us mercifully and remain just and holy at the same time (V. 34).  Hebrews says, “JESUS was offered once to bear the sins of many . . . “(Hebrews 9:28).   

JESUS bore our sins in His own body when He died.  He took our judgment.  He canceled our guilt.  Our sins are gone.  They do not remain in GOD’s mind as a basis for condemnation . . . He forgets them (V. 34; Romans 8:1)! 

Do you understand what this means?  We are free from the law!  We no longer have to keep a list of “do’s and don’ts!”  We are no longer subject to the law, works of flesh, sweating in order to be forgiven (Galatians 5:1). 

Remember this:  There is NOTHING you can do to get GOD to forgive you of your sin and to make Him love you more.  And there is NOTHING you can ever do to cause GOD to stop loving you.  That is truth!  That’s why we call it Good News!  That’s GOD’s Christmas gift to you and to me.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Richard

ADVENT: Reclaiming Christmas -- Day 16

Advent:  Day 16:  “Christmas Calls us to Humility”

Scripture:  “For this reason also, GOD highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of JESUS every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that JESUS CHIST is LORD, to the glory of GOD the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).

There is a message in the Christmas story that is often neglected and not really given much consideration.  It is the message of humility, brokenness, denial, and death.  The essence of all sin is pride and self-centeredness.  On the other hand, an important fruit of authentic redemption is self-denial and death to self (Matthew 10; 16:24; Luke 9:23).  JESUS said, “He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 10:39).  I’m afraid the great majority of believers aren’t getting this part of the redemptive message.

GOD left His glory and place of power and reign to humble Himself to become a mere man (John 1:14) in the form of a bond-servant . . . humbled Himself to even die . . . and humbled Himself in such a lowly way that He died a criminal’s death (Philippians 2:5-8).  But this was GOD’s redemptive plan. Just when the Enemy thought he had won the battle GOD exalted JESUS above all (Philippians 2:9-11).

Through JESUS, GOD the Father not only provided redemption once and for all, He exemplified His plan for us to truly find happiness and life even in this world.  Pride has destroyed many lives, disrupted many business partnerships, dismantled many churches, and broken apart many marriages.  But the great mystery of self-denial and death to self is that we find authentic life, joy, and fulfillment. 

Someone has said, “GOD doesn’t waste anything . . . any suffering.”  GOD promises us that if we are willing to identify with His suffering and trust Him in the midst of it all He will adopt us as His children and fellow heirs with Christ and that we will ultimately be glorified with Him (Romans 8:17).

Another promise found in the Christmas story is that though the Enemy may plan evil against us GOD will use it for His glory and for our good.  Believe it and trust Him!  (Genesis 50:20).

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Richard

ADVENT; "Reclaiming Christmas" -- Day 15

Advent:  Day 15:  “Celebrating Christmas in Suffering and Loss”

Scripture:  “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).  Also, read 2 Corinthians 5.

Part of the curse of the Fall (Genesis 3) is that one day every one of us reading this devotional will one day die and leave this world.  Our bodies of flesh and blood no longer are intended to live forever in this fallen world.  As a result for many people in the world the Christmas season can be one of the saddest times of the year.  Many fear death . . . many grieve the passing of their loved ones . . . and the “Norman Rockwell-type” Christmas images bring a deep sense of loss instead of joy and celebration.

However, the joy of the Christmas story is that JESUS was born to die in order to purchase our eternal destiny.  For those of us who are in Christ and who embrace the true purpose for the Christmas story death is no longer something we fear.  We know that we are created for an eternal destiny.  We know that our true home is in heaven.  We are confident, based on the finished work of JESUS (Hebrews 10) that when our earthly bodies die and leave this world we will be instantly transported into the very presence of GOD (Philippians 1:21; 2 Corinthians 5).

The question in my mind that I would ask is, “Do we really truly believe what we say we believe the Bible teaches about death and dying and eternity?”  I would suggest that if we truly believe then we will “long for our true eternal home” and we will rejoice with our loved ones who have passed on to the other side before us and we look forward with great expectation of being reunited with them in eternity (2 Corinthians 5).

Based on this hope and promise I encourage you this Christmas to enter into the feelings of loss you experience due to the loss of your loved ones.  Don’t block those feelings out.  Embrace them.  Let your love for those who have died be intensified as never before.  But in the midst of embracing your loss celebrate the true message of Christmas.  And in the midst of any fear you may have concerning your own death celebrate as never before GOD’s promise of eternal life brought to light by the incredible Christmas celebration.

During this Christmas season let every loss and every delight thrust you into a longing and groaning for your real home . . . the great eternal home-coming!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Richard 

ADVENT: Reclaiming Christmas -- Day 14

Advent:  Day 14:  "The Reason for Christmas is Death!"

Scripture:  “Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives” (Hebrews 2:14-15).

“Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood . . .”

We are the children of GOD.  GOD’s love for His children (John 3:16) moved Him to act redemptively by offering His Only Son, JESUS.  Those who truly believe from within the depths of their hearts experience adoption into GOD’s family (1 Timothy 4:10).

“. . . He Himself likewise also partook of the same [flesh and blood] . . .”

JESUS existed before the incarnation.  He was Spirit.  He was with GOD and was GOD (John 1:1).  But He took on flesh and blood and became a man and walked amongst us (John 1:14).  This is truly one of the most amazing truths in the entire world and it is also an incredible mystery.  But it is a foundational truth of the Christian faith.

“. . . that through death . . .”

Please take this into your heart and allow it to overwhelm every fiber of your being . . . the purpose for JESUS becoming a man . . . the purpose for JESUS’ birth . . . the purpose for Christmas . . . WAS FOR JESUS TO DIE!              JESUS WAS BORN TO DIE!  Good Friday is the reason for Christmas.

“. . . He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil . . . “

By dying, Jesus covered all our sin which means Satan has no legitimate grounds to accuse us before GOD and we are justified (we become a new creature . . . just as if we have never ever sinned Romans 8:33).  This was accomplished once and for all (Hebrews 10) by JESUS’ death . . . shedding His blood in our behalf (Romans 5:9).

“. . . and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery.”

As a result of the astonishing redemptive work of GOD out of His amazing love and grace for us we are free from the fear of death and we are no longer slaves to our sin or to our fear of death.  This life isn’t all there is . . . we have an eternal destiny!  What an incredible Christmas present from GOD to us and from us to the world!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

ADVENT: Reclaiming Christmas -- Day 13

Advent:  Day 13:  “The Great Christmas Gift Exchange”

Scripture:  “When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.  After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him.  Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Matthew 2:10-11).

When we give gifts from our possessions unto the LORD it is not that we are assisting GOD because He has need.  And, hopefully, it is not because we want to give with expectation of receiving from Him some large material “blessing” in return.  We give gifts to the LORD simply because we love Him and because we have something within us that desires to give to those whom we love something from ourselves.  It is especially meaningful when whatever we chose to give requires some sacrifice on our part; which is what the LORD exemplified in His redemptive gift of His Only Son.

In some mystical miraculous way, as we give sacrificially unto the LORD, we experience a deeper level of intimacy in our relationship with Him.  Isn’t that the way He created us?  GOD did not create us to be self-serving and self-centered.  He created us to be loving and sacrificial.  His word speaks of this from Genesis through Revelation.

As we give unto the LORD we are basically declaring that our love for Him is truly the greatest treasure of our heart rather than any material thing in this world (Matt. 6:21).  It becomes for us an incredible expression of worship.  This is what the Magi were expressing as they brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

As we celebrate Christmas through giving gifts to those whom we love we are embracing this same spiritual truth.  Paul even quoted JESUS, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).  Only those who have authentic intimacy with the LORD can truly grasp the full meaning of JESUS’ statement.

This is the great joy of Christmas . . . GOD gave the greatest gift of all . . . He gave Himself in the form of His divine Son . . . who became a man and dwelt among sinners (John 1:14).  In response of His love for us and our love for Him we can’t help but to make every effort to give some of ourselves back to Him.  The most sacrificial thing we could give would be ourselves . . . our lives.

May we bring our gifts unto the LORD to say to Him, “You alone can satisfy my heart . . . not anything or anyone in this world . . . Only You!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Richard

ADVENT: Reclaiming Christmas -- Day 12

Advent:  Day 12:  “Christmas is Reason for Wild Uncontrollable Worship”

Scripture:  Matthew 2 (Read the entire chapter) -- “When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled and all Jerusalem with him” (Matthew 2:3).

When JESUS was on earth He repelled as many people as He attracted.  Many of those He repelled were the religious leaders of His day, the extreme orthodox followers of all the many religions, and many of the government officials.  He was a threat to their power and influence.  Many others were just simply indifferent because they were so caught up in their own personal lives.

The same can be said about people’s response to JESUS today.  There are many religious leaders and government officials today who are vehemently opposed to JESUS and His followers for the very same reason . . . they feel threatened by Him . . . they feel He will rob them of their power and influence . . . JESUS challenges everything they are attempting to do to lead people astray.

However, I am more saddened by the other group of people who are simply indifferent toward JESUS because they are so consumed with their own personal lives and a “this-world” focus.  I’m particularly saddened that many in this group even call themselves “Christians” (I put that term in quotes for a reason) and many of them attend church on a regular basis.

I am totally astonished at the silence and inactivity of so many who name the name of JESUS during the Christmas season and throughout the year.  Their inactivity is staggering!  They are not interested in the reality that on Christmas GOD became a man and dwelt among us (the incarnation)!  They do not want to worship the true GOD!

I can’t think of anything that has been more confusing to me than this: the idea that GOD would move in such a way . . . to leave Glory itself and deny His divinity and become a finite human . . . to orchestrate an immaculate conception . . . to literally humble Himself and suffer and die on a criminal’s cross . . . and then to complete the most incredible historical event the world has ever known in His resurrection . . . and not be absolutely totally amazed, overwhelmed, and break out in wild uncontrollable worship is beyond my understanding!

Oh come let us . . . break out in dancing and in wild uncontrollable worship . . . JESUS, the Savior of the world has come!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Richard

ADVENT: Reclaiming Christmas -- Day 11

Advent:  Day 11:  “Pointing the way to JESUS”

Scripture:  “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?  For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him” (Matthew 2:2).

I love the fact that this passage, in quiet simplicity, reminds us that GOD, the Creator of the heavens and the universe, is orchestrating His redemptive purpose even in controlling the stars.

In so doing, GOD is guiding “foreigners” to JESUS in order to worship Him.  The LORD uses all of creation and all of His creatures, like you and me, to bring the peoples of the world to come to JESUS for the purpose of worshipping Him.  This is the ultimate purpose of all the earth.

This is GOD’s purpose for every person in your life . . . your immediate family, your extended family, your friends and acquaintances, your neighbors, your co-workers, and your fellow students.  This is GOD’s purpose for every person with whom you come in contact with through your everyday rhythms of life . . . the person who checks you out at the grocery store, the person who serves you at your favorite restaurant, the person driving the other car in a fender bender accident, and the person sitting in the doctor’s waiting room next to you.

Christmas is a wonderful opportunity for those of us who are authentic followers of JESUS to live out and to proclaim that in His birth Hope and Peace were born . . . in His birth the answer to all the ultimate questions has been declared.

Just as GOD used a star to point the way for Magi to come to JESUS for the purpose of worshipping Him, GOD wants to use you and me, in the midst of our being overcome by His glory, to point the way for others to come to JESUS for that very same purpose; to worship the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.  Don’t miss this grand opportunity to share the love of your life (JESUS) with a lost and broken world.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Richard 

ADVENT: Reclaiming Christmas -- Day 10

Advent:  Day 10:  “Christmas does not Bring Peace to All”

Scripture:  “This will be a sign for you:  you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.  And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising GOD and saying, ‘Glory to GOD in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased” (Luke 2:12-14). 

Not everything about JESUS is to bring peace.  JESUS Himself said, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34). 

JESUS gives peace to those who believe (this is the fruit of the Spirit mentioned by Paul in Galatians 5:22-23).  But His authentic Gospel causes much conflict within this lost, dark, and fallen world in which we live.  Many are unwilling to follow His radical teaching.  Many want to compromise His Gospel. 

But without faith in this authentic Gospel of JESUS CHRIST it is impossible to please GOD.  So Christmas does not bring peace to everyone.  JESUS said, “This is the judgment that light has come into the world and men loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds are evil” (John 3:19).

It is only to His followers that JESUS says, “Peace I leave with you.  My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

The Christmas message is that the only way you and I can experience real peace in this world is when we come to believe JESUS is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6) and we chose to follow Him.  This is why Christmas is so special and why we are so excited to celebrate it in a big way.  Through JESUS we have peace regardless of our circumstances. 

Without JESUS we strive to find peace through whatever means we can find.  And so we party as the world in our attempts to be filled.  But we are only filling ourselves with things that satisfy for the moment but leave us starving, destitute, and dying.

JESUS is the Bread of Life and He is Our Living Water.  Embrace Him as the miracle baby of Bethlehem . . . embrace Him as the Good Shepherd . . . embrace Him as the Sacrificial Lamb of GOD . . . and you will have embraced Peace on earth.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Richard

ADVENT: Reclaiming Christmas -- Day 9

Advent:  Day 9:  “The Foolishness of Christmas”

Scripture:  “While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.  And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:6-7).

Are you kidding me?  The GOD of the universe who created all things and who ordained Joseph and Mary to come to Bethlehem couldn’t make certain a room would be available for them!

Of course, He could have provided a room.  JESUS could have been born into a wealthy family.  He could have turned stone into bread in the wilderness.  He could have called 10,000 angels to His aid in Gethsemane.  He could have come down from the cross Himself.  The question is not what GOD could do, but what He willed to do.

But GOD’s plan was that though He were, yet for your sake and for my sake He became poor (2 Corinthians 8:9).  GOD could have demanded the whole world bow down to Him but His plan was that He would humble Himself to death on a criminal’s cross.

No one on earth would have ever planned out a redemptive story like this one planned and orchestrated by GOD Himself.  It is foolishness and absolutely ridiculous to the world.  We cannot always understand the ways of GOD.  But we can know without doubt that GOD’s plans . . . GOD’s purposes . . . GOD’s will is always right . . .  GOD’s will is always best.

JESUS calls us to something radically different from what the world view proclaims . . . “He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 10:39). 

The whole redemptive work of GOD seems irrational and illogical to the world.  “But GOD has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and GOD has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong . . . so that no man may boast before GOD” (1 Corinthians 1:27-31).

But in the final analysis the only thing that truly makes sense . . . is GOD . . . who left heaven . . . becoming a human . . . born of a young lady who was a virgin . . . for the purpose of redeeming all mankind . . . Christmas!  He would eventually die on a cross in the place of all others . . . He would be buried in a borrowed grave . . . He would rise from the dead . . . and He would ascend back into heaven.  Yes!  That makes sense!

ADVENT: Reclaiming Christmas - Day 8

Advent:  Day 8:  “The Humility of Christmas”

Scripture:  Luke 1:46-55

One of the most amazing story-lines within the context GOD’s greater eternal redemptive story is found in the Christmas story.  Think about it.  GOD, the Creator of the heavens and the universe, GOD the Maker of all the world, GOD the King of Glory stooped down and became one of His created master pieces. I know!

GOD lowered Himself to become flesh and blood and a human person.  But He did not present Himself with pomp and circumstance . . . He did not make the entrance of a mighty glorious king of power and fame and fortune.  He did not come in a way that would cause the peoples of the world to bow down and worship Him and serve Him.

No!  He thrust Himself into this broken fallen scene in the form of a fetus . . . conceived like none other . . . but nonetheless, a baby within the womb of a poor peasant girl.  This incredible miraculous act did not bring Him glory and honor, but rather, it brought scorn and shame upon the chosen mother and her fiancé.

This seems to be consistent with the way our GOD and Savior operates.  He has “regard for the humble . . . He scatters the proud . . . He brings down rulers from their thrones . . . . But He exalts the humble . . . He fills the hungry . . . He releases the captives . . . He gives sight to the blind . . . and He sets free those who are downtrodden.” (Verses 50-53; Luke 4:18).

Contemplate this hidden truth:  Only the humble, broken, and poor in spirit will be astounded and overwhelmed by the truth of Christmas.  The rest will simply be worn to a frazzle in the midst of all the hubbub of the busy Christmas chaos around them. 

Don’t be one of them . . . fall on your knees and hear the angel’s voices!

Merry Christmas!

Richard

ADVENT: Reclaiming Christmas -- Day 7

Advent:  Day 7:  “Preparing the Way for an Authentic Christmas Day Celebration”

Scripture:  “And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the LORD their GOD.  It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘To turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children,’ and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the LORD” (Luke 1:16-17).

I love advent because it is a daily reminder of the true significance of our Christmas celebration.  When a friend recently was preaching a recent Thanksgiving sermon he made the comment that our culture has totally bypassed Thanksgiving and immediately we start focusing on Christmas.  But our focus, even for believers, is normally on the commercial aspects and not the true significance of it. 

I’m convinced the reason for that is because we do not fully comprehend the depths of our depravity.

We truly become deeply grateful when we fully recognize the depths from which GOD has redeemed us.  Apart from Christ JESUS we are all truly wicked and evil.  Left to ourselves we are capable of anything.  But because of GOD’s redemptive work born on Christmas Day but conceived from the foundations of the creation itself, we have become children of GOD . . . new creatures in Christ.

Thanksgiving and Christmas will not have a life-changing impact until we realize how desperately we need a Savior and how GOD has given us what we need most.

Throughout this Advent season, every day, be a forerunner like John the Baptist; build excitement and great anticipation about the coming birth of JESUS our Savior on Christmas Day with your immediate family, with your extended family, with your believing friends, and with those you know who are not a part of the family of GOD.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Richard

ADVENT: "Reclaiming Christmas" - Day 6

Advent:  Day 6:  “Christmas:  GOD’s Plan to give us what we want most”

Scripture:  “Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world” (John 17:24).

There are some questions about life that we wonder about and really cannot ultimately answer.  We may have some thoughts about these “ultimate questions” and we may have some secondary answers but we cannot give ultimate, dogmatic, and definitive answers. We are finite and limited and GOD’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9).

For me, one of those questions is:  “Why do I exist?”  Other ways of expressing that question might be:  “Why am I here?”  “Why did GOD create me?”  I believe Christmas helps shed some light on that ultimate question.

JESUS’ prayer to the Father in John 17:24 is that we would be with Him in order that we might see His glory which GOD has given Him.  This is similar to John 1:14:  “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (JESUS’ birth), and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

One of the dynamics related to our sin is that GOD has created us for the purpose of having an authentic, deep, intimate, love relationship with Him.  In His creative purpose He made us to have an insatiable longing for Him . . . call it a “GOD-shaped” vacuum.  He is the only One who can fill that vacuum or longing.  Our attempts to satisfy those GOD-given longings with anything or anyone other than Him is sin.  It’s like we are saying that GOD is not enough . . . His promises are not true . . . GOD is not trustworthy.  We are questioning the very character of GOD the Creator.  This is precisely what happened in the Fall (Original Sin) with Adam and Eve in the garden (Genesis 3).

Christmas is an expression of GOD’s Word (which became flesh) declaring to us . . . I Am your reason for existing . . . I Am the only One who can satisfy your deepest longings . . . I Am Your Bread . . . I Am Your Living Water.  This Christmas see JESUS in all His fullness and see His glory that GOD has bestowed upon Him and be filled . . . full and complete.

Christmas is JESUS (the GOD/Man) giving to us what we want most, purchased at the cost of His death in our place.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Richard

ADVENT: Reclaiming Christmas -- Day 5

ADVENT:  Day Five:  “The Profundity of Christmas:  GOD became a Man”

Are you ready to receive the one and only that God is sending our way? Are you ready to make room for Christ, even when he comes in the form of a homeless child, a teenager in recovery, and an older adult who is lonely and physically broken down?

You see, Christmas isn’t merely celebrating the birth of a simple babe . . . Christmas is celebrating one of the most profoundly ridiculous and impacting events in the history of the world!  John describes it this way:  “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with GOD, and the Word was GOD.  He was in the beginning with GOD.  All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.  In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.  The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it . . . . And the Word became flesh, and dwelt (tabernacled) among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:1-5 & 14).

So, are you truly ready to fully embrace this “One sent from GOD?”  This isn’t about singing cute Christmas songs or striving to mimic a “Hallmark” experience.  This One will require from you your life.  This One will require that you deny self completely.  This One will require allegiance to another realm of existence.

To truly embrace this “One sent from GOD” will so impact your life you will be completely and totally overwhelmed in such a way you will never be the same again.  This is His redemptive plan for you and for me.

The season of Advent means there is something on the horizon the likes of which we have never seen before . . . . What is possible is to not see it, to miss it, to turn just as it brushes past you.  So stay.  Sit.  Linger.  Tarry.  Ponder.  Wait.  Behold.  Wonder.  There will be time enough for running.  For rushing.  For worrying.  For pushing.  For now, stay.  Wait.  Something is on the horizon.” – (Jan L. Richardson, Night Visions: Searching the Shadows of Advent and Christmas)

ADVENT: Reclaiming Christmas - Day 4

ADVENT:  Day Four:  “Waiting for the LORD”

Scripture:  “Wait for the LORD; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the LORD” (Psalm 27:14).  “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to GOD must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).

One of my vivid memories of Christmas when I was a young boy was counting the days down until Christmas Eve.  I used to think it would never arrive!  The waiting was excruciatingly painful.  For some reason, now that I’m much older, that doesn’t seem to be a problem.  Time seems to fly by so quickly.

“Waiting for the LORD” can also be excruciatingly painful and difficult.  We expect everything to be at our fingertips the moment we have a desire for whatever “it” might be.  We live in a world of downloads, high-speed internet, on demand, and microwave cooking.  We thought all of our modern technology would give us more free time but in reality, the time we have “saved” has been quickly filled by more stuff to do.  It’s a rat race . . . truly living life in the fast lane.  Life is passing us by in the midst of our business.

We often carry those expectations over to our faith experience.  We often make demands on GOD to act in our time frame . . . certainly not in His.  But GOD doesn’t bow to our expectations or our demands. 

Hebrews 11:13 is a powerful scripture.  The list of people who lived in great faith “all died in faith, without receiving the promises . . . .”  Christmas is GOD’s declaration to all the world of His love for us.  Christmas is GOD’s assurance that He is in control.  Christmas is a reminder from GOD that His promises are true and that He will never forsake us. 

Faith is an act of “waiting for the LORD” and resting in His sovereignty . . . living life in this world from His perspective . . . living life from Heaven’s view.  It’s not easy but it is the only way to know peace, joy, and hope.

During this season of Advent “be diligent to enter into His rest” (Hebrews 4:11) and believe fully in the promise of GOD fulfilled in the coming of the baby JESUS.  Wait . . . rest . . . trust . . . and know His Peace.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Richard Holloman

ADVENT: Reclaiming Christmas -- Day 3

ADVENT:  Day Three:  “JESUS Brings Great Joy”

Scripture:  “In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.  And an angel of the LORD suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the LORD shone around them; and they were terribly frightened” (Luke 2:8-9).

To Joseph, to the shepherds and to each one of us the Christmas message is the same . . . Don’t be afraid; Christmas is God’s intervention in our lives to bring joy, not fear!

Regardless of what you may be going through at this time in your life it is important that you come to a place where you believe the following:  GOD is Good all the time, GOD loves you, GOD’s promises are true, GOD will never forsake you, GOD’s will is always right, and GOD’s will is always best.  We may not understand everything that’s going on around us but we hang our life on this ultimate truth.

There is a world all around us who are also going through some of the same things you and I are going through but they are striving to do it without belief.  This Christmas season is an opportunity for us to proclaim to broken and hurting people:  “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will 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” (Luke 2:10-11).

ADVENT: Reclaiming Christmas: Day 2

ADVENT:  Day Two:  “Do not be Afraid”

Scripture:  Matthew 1:19-20:  “And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly.  But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.’”

I think it is totally understandable for Joseph to be afraid when he understood the news that his fiancée was pregnant.  No one had ever experienced anything like this before.  I mean, when was the last time you’ve heard that someone got pregnant by the HOLY SPIRIT?  Yea, right!

GOD is at work in our lives and most of the time it is in ways we do not understand.  That makes us nervous and fearful.  He might be working through some extremely difficult circumstances in our lives . . . serious health issues, loss of work and income, death or other tragedy within our immediate family. 

The angel’s word to Joseph was, “Don’t be afraid!”  The LORD is calling us to rest in Him and to trust Him in the midst of whatever our circumstances might be.  It is a matter of faith for us to come to a place where we truly believe GOD is at work in whatever circumstances we find ourselves.

I believe this is a fundamental truth of Christmas.  In the midst of darkness, decay, and death, GOD became flesh and dwelt (tabernacled) among us (John 1:14).  Regardless of what we are going through we can rest . . . we can embrace peace and joy . . . because GOD is present and He loves us and He is in the midst of it all.