By Sami Fortin | PREVIEW Columnist
Lord, as we celebrate the Christmas story of Christ coming to set up your Kingdom on earth, show us what it’s all about.
It all started in a little town called Bethlehem, where there was a hustle and bustle to get all the people counted. It was here that your High Priest, Jesus, came to earth with a message of love.
Micah 5:2 says, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrahah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, and from everlasting.”
Lord, you came to seek those who’ve lost their way and not living the way you intended. They don’t know how to make a change. You are the change. The angels came first to shepherds in a field, the ones who couldn’t get to town to worship, the ones who might have felt the loneliest, and they led them straight to the manger where you were born as a little babe.
There had been stories told and retold when and where you’d be born, so it’s no wonder when the time was right, Mary and Joseph brought you to a man who had grown old waiting for the prophesy to come true. He blessed you and thanked God for keeping him alive to witness this event in history. He called you a light for revelation to the common people and glory to your people Israel.
You set Anna in the temple to confirm that this child was the very One they had been waiting for. You lit the star in the sky to guide a multitude of wise men, to proclaim the praises of the Lord (Isaiah 60:6).
There were those who foretold your coming and those who wanted to end your life. That is our first mistake trying to take things into our own hands when you already have a plan set in place from the beginning of time. Your coming set everything in motion for all the prophecies to be realized.
Then came a man called John lighting the way for the Christmas child, preaching the way of repentance. If we will only believe and call on the name of the Lord, so shall we be saved and receive power from the Holy Spirit and have eternal life.
If there’s longing in our hearts, Lord, for something the world cannot satisfy, show us that you are the true Christmas gift. Prepare our hearts and shine your light on your word. There’s no doubt nor can we deny that you came to save us from the power of the enemy.
When your son grew, He began His mission to seek all those who were weary and heavy laden. You came healing and providing food, bringing sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, and life back to the dead.
What causes us to doubt that you are who you say you are? The lies of the enemy are strong, but you will make us even stronger. Let your word ring true in our ears. Let us take to heart the meaning of Christmas — Your coming to earth — for us to have a relationship with the living God. You have given us a spirit of love and power so we can be free of the enemies’ rule over our hearts and minds.
For man does not live by bread alone, but by every word spoken by you. Jesus, you never wrote any books, but you did write on our hearts and you are still doing that today. You tell us the truth for the Spirit of the Lord is upon you. You’ve been calling your people into service since the first disciples were named. It’s through us that others can find your great love for humanity. You are the only One that can satisfy our need for peace, joy, love, patience and kindness.
You are what our hearts long for. Christmas means you can be trusted. Your coming to earth opens a way for us to make room for you. Your coming takes away the fear that things can’t change. There’s hope in the Son of Man. Thank you Jesus for all you’ve done and are willing to continue to do as we obey you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
There are still some who have not heard the Christmas story. How will you get involved with His story and share His love? What will you do with your Christmas gift?
This column may include both fiction and nonfiction, and views expressed do not necessarily represent those of The SUN. Submissions can be sent to editor@pagosasun.com.
