Allow Christ to Touch You this Season
We live in a region where you open a news app you find news of killings, accidents, fires, natural disasters, and feuding politicians. However, did you know that you can get news that is not so bleak and depressing. I did a survey of the internet and found sites that give the following: “uplifting news of the day “and “positive news around the world”. After visiting these sites, I did not find what I expected, instead they were more on the weird side rather than the good and positive side. There was once article that intrigued me about how a principal was bringing joy to the students in his school. The best one was how the good news of the gospel was reaching people throughout the world.
We are now in the season when we celebrate the birth of Christ. That was great news for the world. Too bad the world does not recognize it. God sent his son to bring us the joy of forgiveness, hope of eternal life, and the knowledge that we are so loved….. “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” I noticed that the message of the angel was to bring joy for all. If at Christmas, we are not feeling the joy of God’s news to us perhaps we need to take inventory of what we are doing with Christmas.
We can easily be distressed and depressed by the pressures that we place upon ourselves that robs us of the joy God means for you to have. So here is a little advice. I call them the three Ps of Christmas. One Pace yourself. Coming from me that is not easily done since I tend to be one of the worst procrastinators I know. But it important to our mental and physical state that we pace ourselves and don’t sweat over what we do not get done. Remember the old saying, “one day at a time.” Second, Pause. If you find yourself running too much, feeling overwhelmed, and spent, then pause for a moment rethink what you are doing. Is it worth losing the joy that Christmas is really supposed to bring? Prioritize. Easier said then done. But you must think what is most important considering your Christmas remembrances and celebrations. And let me add one last P to the mix. Pray. Give your spirit over to the Spirit of God and communicate what you are feeling while you take deep breaths and listen to what God may say to you in those moments. God doesn’t want you, anyone else, or anything else to rob you of the joy that comes from the glad tidings the angels spoke of.
Christmas can be a boom or a bust but if Jesus is the center of your life you can rejoice in the face of whatever life throws at you. Remember Jesus loves you so much that he was willing to bear our sins and give us life. That is most joyous gift of all. And if it hasn’t it should move you to find yourself in church so that you may do what the entire host of angels came to do that night they appeared before the shepherds in the field—glorify God.
It is my prayer you find much joy in Christmas.
Be Encouraged,
Ray
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