“The angel answered (Mary, Jesus’ mother), “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God…For nothing is impossible with God.’”

(Luke 1:35, 37)

Jesus is the Son of God! As we celebrate Christmas this year, let us remember and honor Jesus Christ as the true and only Son of God.

The Bible says that Jesus was born of a virgin — that God Himself was the Father of Jesus Christ. This is a great mystery that our human minds may not be able to fully comprehend. God Himself became a man and lived among us. Jesus Christ was fully a man — He was a human being. But He was also fully God — the Son of God here on earth.

When Jesus was born, shepherd were out in the fields at night tending their sheep. Suddenly “an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord…” You can read the full story in the Bible in the gospel of Luke, chapters 1 and 2.

“The angel answered (Mary, Jesus’ mother), “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God…For nothing is impossible with God.’”

(Luke 1:35, 37)

Jesus is the Son of God! As we celebrate Christmas this year, let us remember and honor Jesus Christ as the true and only Son of God.

The Bible says that Jesus was born of a virgin — that God Himself was the Father of Jesus Christ. This is a great mystery that our human minds may not be able to fully comprehend. God Himself became a man and lived among us. Jesus Christ was fully a man — He was a human being. But He was also fully God — the Son of God here on earth.

When Jesus was born, shepherd were out in the fields at night tending their sheep. Suddenly “an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord…” You can read the full story in the Bible in the gospel of Luke, chapters 1 and 2.

“…Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.”

Luke 2:10,11

Believe!  This is the week of Christmas — and it is so important that we believe God and receive Christ.

When the angel Gabriel spoke to the virgin Mary over 2,000 years ago and said she would have a Son even though she was a virgin, she did not doubt — she believed.  She said “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”  Mary believed God — and she received God’s promise, the Christ child.

When you celebrate Christmas this year, focus on Christ — the wonderful son of God who came to earth to be our Savior.  Believe in Him as the Son of God; receive Him in to your heart if you have not done so already.  And let’s pray that:

• Millions of people across the whole world will believe in God and in Jesus Christ as the Son of God
• People everywhere will receive Christ as their Savior and Lord
• Your own friends and family will all welcome Christ as their personal Savior

When Christ came to be born on earth, people had a simple choice — would they believe in Him as Savior?  Would they receive Him into their lives?  Would they welcome Him?

Our choice is the same today.   Let us celebrate the birth of Christ into the world — and into our hearts.  Merry Christmas!

According to your faith will it be done to you.”  

Matthew 9:29

Optimism.  Optimism is looking at the bright side of things.  Why can we as Christians be optimistic?  Because “greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.”

• “We are more than conquerors through Christ who loves us”
• “Neither death nor life…nor anything else in all creation shall be able to separate us from the love of God.”
• “In all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

“If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all — how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?”

If optimism has no basis, than it is just wishful thinking.  But as Christians we have a reason for thinking positively — and that reason is God. We can face the future with a smile as children of the King!

“Give thanks to the God of heaven, for His loving kindness is everlasting.”

 Psalm 136:26, NASB

“In everything give thanks.”  Why is giving thanks to God so important?  Because…

1. The Bible tells us to.
2. God is the author of every good gift in our lives; “every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father.” It is only right to thank the one who gives us good gifts.
3. Even in difficult times, we have so much to be thankful for — our health, new life in Christ, eternal life, forgiveness of sins, family, many blessings.
4. Giving thanks is good because it focuses us on God and reminds us of Who He is and His faithfulness and takes our eyes off of ourselves

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”

1 Peter 5:7

God wants us as Christians to be light-hearted.  What does this mean?

It means we are to cast all our cares upon God, for He cares for us.  The apostle Paul, even when he was in prison, wrote these words in the book of Philippians 4:  “Rejoice in the Lord always…Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Let your requests be known to God — trust in Him — know that He loves you and cares for you.  Don’t be heavy hearted — even as Paul in prison said to rejoice.  The reason for that is we know Him who holds the future in His hands.  Let Him have your cares and concerns.  They may be too heavy for you — but they are not too heavy for Him. 

“Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.”

Psalm 51:6

Truth  Jesus said “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”

Truth means what is correct, authentic, and is really the case.  God defines reality to us.  His Word is true.

Pilate said to Jesus just before Jesus was crucified, “What is truth?”  Jesus said “I came into the world to bear witness of the truth.”

Do you want to know what is right, and good, and holy, and true?  Study Jesus.  Learn about Him from the Bible.  God’s word is true.

“To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul; in You I trust, O my God.”  

Psalm 25:1

Be strong in the Lord.  As Christians, we are subject to temptations — to our own human weaknesses — and sometimes to troubles and trials.

In all this, God encourages us to “Be strong in the Lord.”  The Bible says “…I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”  (Psalm 23:4)  “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

In all this, the Bible — God’s Holy Word — is our strength and weapon.  We can trust in God — and in His Word.  It is good for us as Christians to study God’s Word and, if possible, to memorize key verses.  “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.”  Psalm 119:11

“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I put my hope.” 

Psalm 130:5

Waiting on God.  Sometimes, when we pray, God answers our prayers right away.  Other times, we may have to wait on God.  Often we don’t like to wait, but here are three ways it can be good.

1. It can teach us to focus on God and His character, not just the result of our prayers.
2. It can teach us to be patient and build our trust; we can express our faith as we wait on Him.
3. It can remind us that God’s ways are better and higher than ours, and that He knows best how and when to answer our prayers.

As we wait on God, let us tell Him we love Him and express our trust in Him as our loving heavenly Father.  He knows what is best for our lives!

“Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.”

Psalm 96:9

Let us seek to be holy people as Christians.

How can we be holy? We are certainly to avoid sin. Does this mean that we should have no contact with sinful people, or with the world around us?

It is a great mystery and wonder, but God said He would send His Holy Spirit to live in us as believers. So we can have holiness — God’s purity and love and spirit — in our hearts, even when we live in the middle of a world with sin and problems.

So, beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, we are not to leave this world — we are to be vessels of God’s saving grace and love to those around us. This does not mean you should be tempted, or put yourself in positions where sin is going on. It does mean that even in a world that is often far from God, we can let the love of Christ shine.