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Christmas is humanity's way of recognizing the birth of
Christ. Naturally, this would make the celebration of
Christmas our way of remembering Jesus' birthday. On the
surface, birthdays are for cake, presents, and
celebrations. We check all these blocks each Christmas,
don't we? Presents are given to all our friends and loved
ones; cookies are baked with care for those we want to share
the season with. We endure way too many office parties,
neighborhood get-togethers and church programs. But
birthdays are also a time for reflection; not just for the
day of birth, but for all the accomplishments, milestones,
and triumphs of the life we recognize.
Think about a
child's first birthday: the first cake, first milestone.
Sixteen: the driver's license.
Twenty-one: legal age.
Now, ponder those who have walked this earth much longer
than we.
Eighty, ninety, even one hundred years of age: oh, the
wisdom of a
life long lived. So much to impart on the next generation!
Let's draw that
connection back to the thought of Jesus. The Messiah,
our Savior. The One who was, and is, and is to come!
We need only look
in Scripture to read the ways He has been foreshadowed in
the Old Testament, how He walked among us two thousand years
ago, and how He will be the path to our victory in the
future. How much more we have to celebrate than his
manger-laying scene. The spiritual milestones we have in
Christ Jesus are simply overwhelming. The reason for
celebration, remembrance, and giving is precious.
We have victory
unspeakable to celebrate!
This Christmas, I
have a challenge for us all. Each time we see a babe in a
manger, whether a plastic participant in yard art, designed
on the front of a card, depicted in an ornament, or involved
in a church scene, let us be reminded of our victory.
Praise God for His gift of eternal salvation. Jump for joy
that we are not merely celebrating a baby's birth. You
don't have to wait until spring's empty tomb display to
celebrate the triumph we have through Jesus! Let that
vision of the child transform into the victorious Savior
within your spirit. May you shine the light that comes from
Him ever brightly...bringing hope to those who cannot see
His role as Redeemer.
Rejoice!
Jennifer Devlin,
Author
"Verses We Know by Heart: Discovering the
Details of Familiar Old Testament Passages"
(Randall House, 2008)
"Life Principles for Christ-like Living"
(AMG Publishers, 2006)
www.ministryforlife.com
jennifer@ministryforlife.com
Jennifer Devlin is a speaker and author of "Verses We Know
by Heart: Discovering the Details of Old Testament Passages"
and "Life Principles for Christ-like Living." You can find
out more about her via her Ministry for Life website at
www.ministryforlife.com.
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