How we see and experience Christmas says everything about how we see church and our relationship with God. What are your fond memories of Christmas time? Has Christmas become more of an emotionally tough time a year for you? Do you find yourself trying to force a spirit of joy and cheer this time a year when in reality deep inside there is a nagging depression? Christmas can quickly become more about the giving and receiving of presents than about celebrating and experiencing God’s Presence. So, in the midst of thinking about what gifts to buy and what gifts you would like take extra time thanking God for the greatest gift ever – the giving of Jesus! Realize that God radically loves you and that He desires to be with you. He desires to break into your life with His life. Jesus left heaven to break into our fallen world so that now by the power of the Holy Spirit He can break into our lives and bring new life. Christmas can also become all about traditionwhere we quickly forget we were called on mission. For many their experience of Christmas is similar to their experience of church in that it becomes a routine and ritual rather than about real encounter with the living God. So, in the midst of your celebrating Christmas remember that Jesus came to give us new life and set us on mission. He has good things for you and His life comes alive in our life as we join Him on His mission of bringing the love and grace of God to those around us.
Is Christmas time more about presents or Presence, tradition or Mission?
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