Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the “reason” for the season, but what does that mean? Is that just a cool little saying we use each December or does it have a deeper meaning that should impact our lives all year long?
We say we believe the “story” of Christmas, but what does that mean? Do we like the story about the baby Jesus because it’s something that fits in with the annual celebration or does it have a deeper meaning that should impact our lives all year long?
It’s almost Christmas. People are running around trying to find just the perfect gift for friends and family. The alcohol flows from one party to another. The stress grows as each person tries vainly to fulfill their desires for the “happiest” time of the year. The goal is ever elusive.
Is this what Christmas is really all about? Why do we do this to ourselves? Is there something more? Something better? Something we’re missing?
The answer is a resounding YES! There is something more; something much better. There’s a secret about the holiday that can make every day the “happiest” time of the year.
Christmas is this coming Sunday. It’s hard to believe that another year has gone by since the last celebration of our Lord’s Birth. Here is the first chapter in a study we shared last year. Hope you enjoy it! Continue reading
Welcome to the week before Christmas! What a wonderful time to rejoice in the good things we have in life – and we do have so many good things.
Christmas is one of those times of the year when more people are open to hearing about Jesus Christ. However, what they hear usually doesn’t take them far enough to understand the uniqueness of God’s Gift to the world. Why did God send His Son to earth in the form of a baby? Why did the mother of Jesus have to be a virgin? What is the significance of Christ’s birth to me?
I hope you will enjoy reading a free eBook called It’s Christmas! It’s part of our GraceLife Bible Study Series and presents the true meaning and purpose of God’s Son coming to earth 2,000 years ago in the form of a little child. If you find it a blessing, please share the book with your family and friends. It’s our gift to you and them.
Blessings!
In Christ’s Love and Grace,
Mark McGee
GraceLife Ministries
Merry Christmas! This is the day millions of people around the world remember the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. But why did God’s Son need to be born? His existence is from “everlasting to everlasting.” Christ is Eternal. He is All-Powerful and All-Knowing. Why would He need to lower Himself to become like one of His own creatures?
Yesterday, we began a study about a Jewish virgin named Mary. She lived in a little town in the northern region of Israel named Nazareth. We don’t know a lot about her personal history as a child, but we do know she found favor with God.
“Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, ‘Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!’ But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
Luke 1:26-33
I used to refer to the story about the Virgin Mary to demonstrate my belief that the Bible was an absolute fairy tale. No one could be born of a virgin. How ridiculous (or so I thought). That was more than 40 years ago when I didn’t believe in the existence of God and the supernatural. I know better now. Receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior does a lot to change an atheist’s beliefs about God. God did send His One and Only Son to be born of a virgin. Let’s see what we can learn about this amazing event.
It’s hard to believe that Christmas is next week! Where has 2009 gone? It’s interesting as I drive around town to see so many people who are unhappy and stressed. Drivers are becoming more aggressive and less patient. Shoppers are moving faster and with less satisfaction. We see lighting displays all around the area that include the word “joy” in the message, but where is the joy? Where’s the peace and joy we believe comes with the Christmas season?
Here’s some insight from the Bible:
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
It may seem too simple to be true, but I believe it is. Joy comes with being inside God’s will for our lives. One of the most-asked questions I’ve heard from Christians since I was saved is “How can I know God’s will for my life?” God’s answer is simple, direct and powerful!
When we live our lives in this way, God can easily and clearly point us to other areas of His will for our lives. The difficult decisions about what to do, where to go, who to marry, etc., will become clear as we understand what it means for Christ to be “in” us and us to be “in” Christ. The Will of God lives in us and guides us. Ours is to listen, obey and enjoy.
What does this have to do with Christmas? Jesus came from Heaven to earth to bring us joy! Remember what the angels sang when they announced the birth of Jesus Christ —
“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Luke 2:8-14
The angels of Heaven brought the people of earth “good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.” Notice the angel used the words “great joy.” Most of us have experienced joy in our lives, but what the Jesus brings us a message of great joy.
Where’s the joy? It’s in Jesus! If Jesus is your Savior and you are in His will for your life, you will experience great joy.
Blessings!
Mark McGee
