Christmas has been my favorite time of year for as long as I can remember, but as I have grown older I have come to appreciate the season even more. Christmas time is when we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The thing I really love about the story of Jesus' birth is that it wasn't big and flashy. He didn't have the wise men leak the story to the paparazzi. He didn't have his grand entrance into the world in a private suite of a hospital . He didn't have a golden bottle. He was born a very simple birth in a manger with his mother and father. From the very beginning He just was.
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," Matthew 28: 19
This is a time of year we often hear the phrases "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays", what an easy way for a Christian to strike up the conversation of Jesus Christ or to invite someone to church for Christmas Eve services! But in these times of opportunities we must remember to reflect Christ-like love. I love that my church makes post card sized invitations every year for attendees to take and invite someone they know to Christmas Eve services, the invitation is even wondering around social media! It blows me away to see everyone of all ages inviting someone they know to come hear the word of God, and to think that it could be someones Christmas gift AMAZING!
"This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him." 1 John 4: 9
Many Christmases ago God gave us the ultimate gift, his Son! His Son was sent to pay the price for our sins, but what if this year you gave someone the gift of getting to know Christ. What if even if they turned down your invitation to attend church you still lived a Christ centered life in hopes that someday they would ask more about the God you praise even in the hard times? What if as a New Years resolution we chose to invite someone new to church every weekend? Or take a moment every week/ day to tell someone about Christ? What if this year we lived like we knew each day was fought and won for us by the Messiah?
I pray each and every one of you has a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I would not be able to finish this post if I did not invite you to one of our New Hope Christmas Eve services times listed are available at all three locations.
