Christmas is such a wondrous time that our extended family looks forward to every year. There is something very special about coming together, enjoying great food, and exchanging gifts to express our love to one another. However, as special as this all seems, being a redeemed believer in Christ is the most beautiful gift of all and it is important that we look at life through that lens at Christmas time as well as every other time of the year.

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So as we celebrate the birth of the baby who would change history, I want to draw your attention to the words of our Lord following His death and resurrection found in Acts 1:8, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." There is such magnitude in those words. Jesus is literally granting power to His redeemed of all ages to share His love to the ends of the earth.

 

Like so many Christian values, those words and promises are out of step with present-day society; however, built into every "born again believer" is the call to share the greatest of all gifts, simply stated: Salvation through the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The greatest of all gifts cries out to be shared, and Jesus said, "YOU will be my witnesses!” This message is hard to contain, and the closer we draw to Christ, the more our love for His redemption plan will find expression in our lives.

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Questions to Ponder/Challenge: I encourage you to give yourself a gift, starting today.  Memorize Acts 1:8 and recite it daily. It is truly one ritual that will enrich your life and walk with Christ.

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Prayer: Heavenly Father, my prayer this day is filled with gratitude for Your love, patience, forgiveness, and never-ending pursuit of the lost world in which we live. Give us this day an unexplainable urge to share Your forgiveness with those around us. We pray believing that You are able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we may do or think. In Your precious name we pray, Amen.