Jesse Christmas Tree’s
Where Christ Comes First In Our Tree’s
Why do we say where Christ comes first? That’s right, there would be no special day each year for us to celebrate. To give or receive gifts and there wouldn’t even be a need for a tree. The name Christmas come from Jesus Christ because that is actually his birthday. We Need Christmas. In the
time that we are living in we can feel like there is always something bad happening in the headlines or always a shortage on something but there’s never a shortage on bad news. The abundance of bad news can make us feel like the “everything shortage” extends beyond just material things. Hope is hard to see. Peace is in short supply. Love seems to be at a all time low. Joy seems nowhere to be found. That’s why we need Christmas. Christmas time reminds us that while the shelves in the store may occasionally run low, God promised an endless supply of life’s real essentials, and He delivered on that promise in the form of a savior born in a manger. In Luke chapter 2 an angel appeared to shepherds in the field saying, do not be afraid. I bring you good tiding of great joy, which shall be to all people. “The “good news” was the birth of Jesus! The angel’s instructions to the shepherds are the same directions we can follow this Christmas. Desperate for hope? You will find Him lying in a manger. Searching for peace? Looking for love? Experiencing a shortage of joy? This Christmas, lets put aside the surplus of bad news and let our hearts be reminded of the “good news” we have in a Savior the world needs Christmas because this world needs Jesus. And we find all that our hearts needs “lying in a manger.”
Bible verses. Philippians 4:19. Second Peter 1:3. We need joy. I wonder if the reason why the angle who announced Jesus’s birth said the “ good news” would bring “ great joy.” Not “ordinary joy.” Not “good” joy. Not “above average” joy. Jesus brings “great joy!” In another passage of scripture, Peter talks about how we can experience “ inexpressible and glorious joy” even in our suffering. I pray that you, too, may be surprised by joy this Christmas. You may be suffering, hurting, brokenhearted, or weary. But the “ good news”of Jesus still offers you great and inexpressible joy. Bible verse first Peter 1:6-9. We Need Peace. What is “heavenly peace?” The Bible talks about a peace that passes all understanding that will guard minds. God offers us peace that is so real and so calming that we can’t even understand. In other words, even in time of chaos, anxiety, fear, and understanding times when it would be normal to feel anything but peace, peace can still rule our heart. How are you sleeping these days? What keeps you up at night? What troubles your soul and worries you heart? At Christmas, we hear the word “peace” often, usually in the form of of a prayer peace on earth. And while I am sure we are praying for peace in our troubled world, I’m praying for you to experience peace in your troubled hearts this Christmas. A peace that nothing in this world can offer. I pray that you rest in, hope in, trust in, and sleep in heavenly peace. Bible verse John 16:33. Isaiah 26:3. We Need Love. The story of the birth of Jesus provides a powerful reminder that the message of the gospel is the message of God’s relentless pursuit. He stopped at nothing to save us. He went to great lengths to be with us. His name is “Immanuel,” meaning “God with us.” He sent his only begotten son, trading the splendor of perfect Heaven for the squalor of broken earth. That’s what real love does. Love pursues. Love chases. Love reaches. Love stays. And just as God stays with us, we are called to be people who stay with others. Jesus’ command in John chapter 13 issues a clear command for us to carry out this Christmas, “…love one another as I have loved you…” Our world is filled with hurting people. Many are desperate for love and waiting for someone to show them love. I believe God has pre-ordained opportunities for each of us to be a reflection of Immanuel. Who around you needs Christmas? Is there someone grieving and needs you to be with them in their hour of need? Is there someone who can’t afford Christmas presents for their children and you might be able to help? Is there an estranged member of your family that could use a phone call? Is there someone all alone this Christmas that you could check in on or bring a meal to? This world needs love. May we love one another just as He has loved us this Christmas. Bible verses. John 3:16. Matthew 18:10-14. Luke 635-36. We Need Hope. These last few years have felt like our entire world is crawling towards December. Hard times make our steps feel heavier and heavier. We reach the final month of the year exhausted by all we’ve endured. Political divides, terror attacks, supply chain shortages, racial tension, economic crisis, sickness, stress, and anxiety have dominated and darkened our days. And dark days can fool us into thinking that all hope is lost. But God… I love those two words! We have a God who steps into our darkness with light (John 8:12), into our brokenness with healing (Psalm 147:3), into our sinfulness with mercy (Ephesians 2:4), and into our hopelessness with hope (2 Corinthians 1:9). The message of Christmas is not just a message of hope promised. It’s the message of hope delivered. The Old Testament prophesies about a coming king were fulfilled word for word in the form of a savior born in a manger. God is who he says He is, and He does what He says He will do. And here is the ultimate hope we have this Christmas: The hope of heaven! Jesus was born in a stable so that 33 years later, He could lay down his life on a cross to save us from our sins and bring us everlasting life. The words from a favorite Christmas carol sum it up beautifully, “Mild He lays His glory by. Born that man no more may die.”
With eternity promised, we are reminded that our troubles on earth are temporary. In this world, we will have trouble, but Jesus said, “take heart, for I have overcome the world.” This Christmas, I pray that you will do just that, “take heart,” take joy, take peace, take love, and take hope that is being offered to you by a God who sent his only son to be born in a manger and to die on a cross. He’s prepared a place for you. Keep your eyes up and hold on to the hope of the heaven that awaits. Romans 8:39. Jeremiah 29:11. Hebrews 10:23. John 8:12. We hope that this letter helped to encourage you during this season. Even tho this may be the season of giving and of joy. We know all to well that it can also be a very hard season for some. If there is anything that we can help you with or we can pray for you. Massage us on facebook ’s Christmas tree’s or you can text at 256-347-9255. If you would like to find out more about this peace and hope. We would be glad to help you. We would also like to encourage you to go to wherever you listen to music and look up Matthew West We Need Christmas and Ann Wilson The manger. Merry Christmas.
