We’ve all met a Scrooge at one time or another. Whether they’re decrying the price of turkeys this year or complaining about the incompetence of government, Scrooges are no fun to be around. They have a remarkable talent for sucking every last drop of happiness and joy out of the Christmas season. Instead of rejoicing, they are bitter and miserable. How can we avoid becoming one of these Scrooges? How can we rejoice even if this Christmas is going to be tougher than usual?
Here’s what we need to remember so we can find true joy at Christmas.
1) Remember what you’ve been given.
No matter who you are, what your bank account holds, or what your plans for Christmas are, you have been blessed. God has given you the gift of living today. And, as its 86,400 seconds speed by, His grace continues to flow into your life. As Paul said, “For in him we live, and move, and have our being…” (Acts 17:28)
How many cancer patients have longed and prayed for just one more day to inhale sweet lungfuls of air, hold their loved ones close, and watch the sun rise? Too often, we take life for granted. At the local church’s prison ministry, we want to live each day to the fullest and be thankful for it.
Beyond the gift of today, God has also given us a thousand other gifts. He has given us a beautiful planet to live in, His wonderful Word, and a precious Saviour. He has given us unshakeable promises that we can rest upon. To remember how good God has been to you, take 2 minutes to read “God Is Not a Tightwad.”
2) Remember what He gave up.
In order to come down at Christmas, Jesus had to give up many things. He had to lay aside His kingly robes and don a human body, with all its weakness and frailty. He had to leave the halls that rang with His praises and come to Earth, where He would be mocked and scorned. He had to walk down the steps of His throne and into a lowly stable and a poor family.
Jesus gave up many of His rights to come to earth. What rights did He give up?
-The right to a soft pillow and a warm bed (Matthew 8:20)
-The right to do what He wanted to do (John 6:38)
-The right to unending worship & praise (Hebrews 1:6)
-The right to the full exercise of His powers (Philippians 2:7)
These are just a few of the sacrifices that Jesus made for our sakes, because He loved us. How thankful we ought to be for His willingness to do so!
3) Remember He loves you no matter what.
When we turn the pages of the Christmas story, we begin to see that it’s not merely the story of a Baby. It’s not about the nervous shepherds or wealthy magi. At the centre of the Christmas story is a Father-heart beating with eternal love.
This Father looked down and saw us in our sin. He knew that we could never scale the walls that sin had built between us. So He sent Jesus to break down the walls, to snap the chains that bound us, and to invite us into His presence.
As Matthew wrote, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” (Matthew 1:23)
Because of Jesus’ death on the cross, we can be forgiven if we will turn from our sin and believe on Him. Then we can know Jesus not only as as the Baby in the manger, but as Emmanuel—God with us.
As believers, we need to remember that God always loves us. He loves us when we make Him proud…but also when we fail Him over and over again. He loves us even when we are doubting and fearful. He loves us through storms and sunshine, through thick and thin, and through every circumstance of life. At the local church’s prison ministry, we are so grateful for His love.
This month, let us remember what God has given us. Let’s thank Jesus for everything He gave up. And let’s rest in our Father’s amazing love for us. If we do these things, then we can have true joy this Christmas!
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Are you searching? Jesus has the answers for addictions and stubborn habits. For more information, send the Crossmans a private message here on Facebook or come to a church service at Prince Albert Baptist Church. Take the first step in a walk of freedom!
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