The Coming Days

 

Dr Bruce C. Swaffield, PhD, cbn.com

Just before the start of a new year, we make one resolution after another. We set ourselves to lose weight, to exercise more, to eat healthier, and maybe even to spend less time working. All of these intentions are commendable, but what about our commitment to the Lord? How can we seek to serve him better in the weeks and months ahead?

The first step we must take is to become more determined, more resolute, to follow his will. We need to think less of what we want and focus wholly on what God has planned for us in the year ahead. The apostle James warned about making decisions based on personal desires and wishes:

“You who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’ As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” James 4:13-17 (NIV)

When we lay claim to what we are going to do, for example, we sin because we place greater emphasis on the finite rather than in the infinite. In other words, we replace God’s will with our own. We boast about our plans to make money or to prosper in some way when we should be placing our confidence and trust in God. What he wants us to do will last for eternity. What I want now will end as soon, and as quickly, as my life on earth ceases to be. My days, says James, are like a mist that lasts only a short while.

As we begin a new year, we have been given another opportunity to rededicate our lives to building God’s kingdom as opposed to our little one here in the world. We can still make resolutions for the next 12 months, but we must remember to begin them with the phrase, “If it is the Lord’s will.” Any success we experience is due to him; it is only right and proper that we begin with him as well.

We do not know for certain what a new year will bring, but we always hope that it will be better than the last one. We say goodbye to regrets, heartaches, arguments, missed opportunities, anxieties, perhaps even illness, and anticipate the coming days with eagerness. Maybe the year ahead will be a time of personal and professional growth, a time for financial increase, a time for a new job or a time for a much-needed vacation.

While we wonder about the future, God knows what lies ahead. He planned each moment of this new year long before our birth so many years ago. He alone sees where we are going and what we will encounter. Everything we are about to face will be according to his design. What we have to remember, in good times as well as bad, is that everything will work together for good for those who love him.

It would be nice to think that nothing evil or difficult will occur this year: we will not get sick; we will not experience tragedy; we will not be hurt by others; we will not have any economic problems; we will not confront disappointment; we will not have to cope with any adversity at all. But the reality of life is that many of these challenges will occur, and we will not have an easy time getting through any of them.

Day after day, for three years, Jesus walked from town to town doing the Father’s will. Each moment, from morning until evening, his life demonstrated the power and authority of God. He lived in the world without being a part of it.

Even though Jesus was attacked, maligned, mocked, jeered and rejected, he did not change. He knew who he was in God and he remained true to his purpose on earth. Nothing was able to come against him because he allowed himself to be guided and protected by God’s plan.

Jesus experienced the same temptations that confront us today. He was not immune to pain and suffering even though he was the Son of God. In fact, we seldom think about the magnitude of his struggle. Imagine how he must have felt after living in paradise and then coming down to earth. He came from glory and grandeur to face sin and corruption. Jesus knew perfection, yet he agreed to live for a short time among imperfection.

Our Father asks us to do the same. He plans for us to fulfill his good and perfect will. We, too, are asked to live for him (just as Jesus did) and to show the way to heaven. If we choose his way, God promises to care for us no matter what we encounter. He brought Jesus all the way through the cross and into eternity. Not only will God do the same for us, but we also have Jesus and the Holy Spirit to intercede on our behalf. The Trinity of the universe is all around us. Nothing can defeat us as long as we live according to God’s design.

This year we must be willing to trust God more than ever. Rather than placing our hope and expectations in circumstances around us, we need to put our hope in him. He is high above any of the troubles that will surely come our way. And he is ready to guide, protect, and sustain us. We have his promise, his covenant. We are his children and he is our father. He will take care of us every minute of this new year, even during times of tremendous pain and suffering. Our hope for the year ahead should be in him, and in his good and perfect plan for our prosperity. If we can find it in ourselves to place our full faith in his will, we will see – when we reach Dec. 31 – that this was indeed a good new year.

Times Gone By

 

 

By: Missey Butler, cbn.com

Every New Year’s Eve, one of the most common English-speaking songs people sing is a song called “Auld Lang Syne.” Isn’t it funny how it’s possible to sing a song all your life and have no idea what it means?

It turns out that “auld lang syne” is a 17th-century Scottish song written by a man named Robert Byrns. His transcription of the words “auld lang syne” means “times gone by.” So when we sing this song, we are saying, “We’ll drink a cup of kindness yet for the times gone by.”

The other day I was thinking about this well-known song, and I began to reminisce. I got to thinking about just how awesome it must be to finally reach a place in life when you can honestly be thankful for everything. I mean everything. All the good, the bad, and the ugly. The whole shah bang! Everything that has ever had the fortune or misfortune of passing through the curtains of our lives!

I am more and more convinced, that until we truly believe God really does work out everything in conformity with the purpose of his own will, (Ephesians 1:11) we will never be ready for the next round of the growth process.

A very well-known scripture in the book of Romans says:

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Romans 8:28 NLT

If we count ourselves as being numbered among the “called out” ones, who also happen to be “head over heels” in love with God (which by faith, we all can be) we will soon find ourselves beginning to see things in a new and marvelous light.

It’s part of that promise given to us in Matthew:

“Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light.” Matthew 6:22 NLT

Then when we ultimately come to the realization that God is after one thing, and that one thing is “us” giving “Him” EVERYTHING, then (and only then) will we gladly, without hesitation, partake of that cup of kindness … yet for the times gone by!

As Dame Julian of Norwich said so well, “The fullness of joy is to behold God in everything.”

In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV

Diamonds in the Rough

 

By: Louise L. Looney, cbn.com

A huge uncut diamond was entrusted to a skilled artisan to create what is now known as the Hope diamond. The craftsman kept the rough gem for over a year, turning it over and over, to determine how to cut each facet to reflect its fire and exquisite beauty. He carefully chipped away bit by bit until he could hold and admire this gorgeous jewel shining in all its glory.

People now stand in awe and amazement when they catch a glimpse of this diamond which is estimated to be worth between two and 250 million dollars.

Diamonds and stalwart Christians are formed in a similar fashion — by heat and pressure. We undergo the heat of fiery trials and the pressures of the cares of this present world. The chipping away of our rough edges is necessary if we’re to become a jewel of great value.

God, the Master artisan, sees the beauty buried deep within our lives.  Often, through adversity, sorrow, and suffering, our undesirable traits are evident and we trust the Lord will sand off those rough edges. Our heavenly Father works carefully, as He envisions us as a precious jewel in His Kingdom.

“And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; …” Malachi 3:17 (KJV)

It is my prayer that someday we’ll end up in the Lord’s jewelry box.

We may not consider ourselves to be precious — but we’re not taking into consideration what the Creator of the Universe can do with insignificant people. Because we are His children, He gave each of us the talents and abilities to be a pearl of great price. He doesn’t think of anyone as ordinary or worthless.

It is amazing that our heavenly Father seems to delight in choosing unlikely people as valuable citizens in His kingdom.

“The Lord their God will save his people on that day as a shepherd saves his flock. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown.” Zechariah 9:16 (NIV)

The Lord made us in His image with the potential of a prayer warrior, a servant, or one with a compassionate heart to reach out to hurting people. It’s as if He sees each person as a diamond in the rough.

A diamond reflects natural light, while a Christian mirrors the Light of the Son. The beauty of both can be seen in their sparkle and the gorgeous colors refracted from each facet.

“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world.” Matthew 5:14 (MSG)

Shine, Jesus, shine.

Heaven’s Supreme Court

 

By: Missey Butler, cbn.com.

Have you ever given much thought to how you are going to score on the most important test of your life? When we all stand before the living God to give an account of our lives? Before you start shifting uncomfortably in your chair or try to clear that spiritual lump in your throat, be assured that God has already provided the answers to our test before we have to take it.

I used to display a bumper sticker on the back of my car that read “As long as there are tests, there will be prayer in school!” A rather funny thought to an age-old dilemma that we all seem to struggle with. So why all the uneasiness in regard to accountability?

As I researched the topic, I became aware of my own feelings of trepidation — a kind of uncertain agitation that arises at the mention of “That Day,” sometimes referred to as “The Judgment.”

It is appointed unto man, once to die, but after this, the judgment. (Hebrews 9:27)

The whole thing really began to puzzle me because I am a born-again believer — counted among those whose lives are supposed to be so grounded in the Word that nothing shakes or quakes us. I wanted to settle any looming doubt that had mercilessly harassed me. I found myself shrinking back at the very thought of just how I would fare on that day.

I knew I had to take my case to the Supreme Court of Heaven. I could pose my questions directly to the honorable judge of the universe Himself. But I hesitated to step into His hallowed chambers without adequate counsel. I knew I needed an advocate.

If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. (1 John 2:1)

I sought the advice of the Clerk of Courts, The Holy Spirit, who reassured me that the decision had already been made. My case had been thoroughly deliberated by a well-known attorney whose name is Jesus Christ. The outcome was NOT GUILTY by reason of forgiveness! Hallelujah!

For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:13,14)

The good news is that when we stand before God, we will be complete in Him! This means any sin we have ever committed will already be covered under his blood, long forgotten, and never to be brought up again. Instead, only the good things in our lives will be brought to light. Our Lord will be looking to recognize every prayer, every heart cry, every tear, and every groan of the Spirit. He will call to mind the cup of cold water given to the thirsty and the morsel of bread given to the hungry. He is going to bring every good deed out in the open.

God will give to each person according to what he has done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. (Romans 2:6-7)

You may still ask, “How can we be sure that our bad works won’t be held against us?” We have to keep in mind there will be two groups at the Judgement–sheep and goats. Each will appear separately. One group will be on the right (sheep) and one on the left (goats). This scene is described in Matthew 25:32-33. The bad deeds are to be accounted for by the unbelievers on the Day of Judgment. This would probably be a good time to make sure you are recorded among the correct column of divine contrasts. For example:

A Believer – an Unbeliever
A Wheat – a Tare
A Wise Virgin – an Unwise Virgin
Walking the Narrow Path – Walking the Wide Path

As a child of ten, I was a gangly tomboy, who like clockwork, would drop whatever I was doing and race home at 4 p.m. to flop down in front of the black and white Zenith TV. With my chin cradled by palms, I would gaze almost hypnotically at the popular series Dragnet, anxiously awaiting Detective Joe Friday to say, “Just the facts, ma’am.” Even as an adult, I’m still one who wants to know the facts, the bottom line, and the truth is, we will all be summoned before a Holy God one day to answer the charges.

My prayer is that we understand that our final plea will be “Innocent” of all charges because the precious atoning blood of Jesus Christ has cleansed us of our sins! This message of truth is a wonderful anchor for my soul, and I pray it will be for you as well. As you stand before the great “I AM” on that awesome day, recognizing His eyes of love for you, then in front of the entire human race, He will reach out to embrace you as His bride.

Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. (Revelation 19:7)

God’s “Summons to our Soul” is His calling us to a life of complete surrender to His Lordship! So when we stand on that grand and glorious day of reckoning, we will joyfully hear the words we longed for from our Master:

Well done, Thou good and faithful servant. (Matthew 25 :21a)

Resolve to Be Content in the New Year

 

Jonathan Santiago, author, cbn.com

“Now godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Tim 6:6 NKJV

January 1st is the day for many that self-improvement resolutions are made. Most will be financial, business, or personal fitness goals.

There is nothing wrong with any of that.

In fact, Proverbs 21:5 states that the plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty.

Yet as children of the King we should be cautious of the motivation behind any resolutions we might make. Are our goals generated from a state of discontentment?

To say “I won’t be content until this happens” means God is not enough for us now. And if God is not enough now, it means we’ll be striving to accomplish that resolution by our own strength.

Paul says, “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.” Phil 4:11 NKJV

Paul knew who he was. Paul was aware of his identity as a child of the King. When we say to ourselves, “I’m lacking”, or “I’m insufficient in my current state”, then we are living below our privileges. The prodigal son left his father’s estate to work by his own strength. That didn’t turn out well. The other son stayed, but lived below his privileges because he was waiting on something he already had access to.

Remember, godliness with contentment is great gain. Unlike the riches of the world, the riches of God cannot be taken away from you. When we are content we put ourselves in a position for God to bless us.

Once we know who we are in Christ, every resolution we set should be in Him and for Him. There is nothing wrong with wanting to improve our situation for the Glory of the Kingdom. In fact, God commissioned us to go out and do the work of His Kingdom. And when he commissioned us, he also equipped us with everything we need.

Perhaps a good practice for the start of this New Year is simply deciding to be content.

Before setting any goals or resolutions, spend some quiet time with the Father thanking him for what He has done. Thank Him for who He is, who you are, and acknowledge that He is more than enough. Regardless of your state: in debt, deployed in the military, family health issues, homeless… God is enough for you. It’s important to find that place. It may be difficult at first. It may only come through prayer and worship. But God would rather have you be complete in Him with zero resolutions than discontent in Him and hit every resolution you set.

Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Psalms 37:4

Another way to look at this scripture is that if we delight ourselves in the Lord, our desires will begin to align with his desires.

So find that special place of contentment where the Father can show you just how complete in Him you are. Delight yourself in His ways. When you do this, any goal or resolution you set will be one that God can bless!

A Purse with Holes in It

 

 

Lori Hatcher, author, com

“We never seem to get ahead,” Rebecca said. “Without fail, as soon as we have any money saved, the washing machine breaks, someone gets sick, or we get a flat tire.” Tears welled up in her eyes. “John took a second job working weekends, but instead of having more money, we have less.” She lifted wide eyes to meet mine. “I don’t know how much longer we can go on like this.”

Financial struggles are real—and frightening. Sadly, Rebecca’s story isn’t unique. Most of us, at one time or another, have struggled to pay the bills, provide for the kids, and save for the future. And while lean times come to us all, some couples always fight to stay afloat.

In the tiny Old Testament book of Haggai, we find an eloquent description of a community struggling with the problem of too much month at the end of their money.

“Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it’” (Haggai 1:5-6).

A purse with holes in it. Wow. That’s quite a word picture.

Financial problems are complex, with no simple answers. But many overlook a biblical principle—each of us should be giving to God’s work. Such was the case with the Israelites.

“You expected much,” the Lord said, “but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why? … Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house” (verse 9).

Concerned more about building their houses and securing their livelihood, the Israelites had neglected God and His work. This is also the case with many families today.

“We’ll give to the church after we pay off our debts.”

“We can’t afford to give right now. The cable bill’s two months past due, and I have to pay club fees for the kids’ travel ball team.”

“Let the rich members support the missionaries. They have plenty of money.”

God, however, has a different perspective on giving, saving, and spending.

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:31–33).

These simple verses provide the key to biblical stewardship:

Don’t worry.

Give God a portion of your time, talent, and resources.

Trust Him to provide what you need.

The Israelites of Haggai’s day (and many Christians today) had it backward. Their approach looked more like this:

Worry.

Stop giving to God.

Do whatever it takes to maintain our lifestyle.

When Rebecca and her husband hit a wall, they wisely sought biblical financial counseling. Their advisor suggested a plan to help them get back on their feet. He encouraged them to develop a budget, eliminate unnecessary and luxury spending, and dedicate a portion of their income to the Lord’s work.

Although giving away a portion of their money seemed counterintuitive, as they stepped out in faith, they saw God multiply the remaining funds and stretch them further than they ever thought possible.

Rebecca’s family’s financial situation didn’t turn around immediately, but with hard work, prayer, and self-control, they now enjoy a comfortable, debt-free life. Best of all, they eagerly share with other struggling couples how God met them where they were and provided for them in ways they never could have imagined.

A Christmas Prayer of Praise to the Son

 

SARAH GERINGER, author, crosswalk.com

“And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.” 1 John 5:20 (NLT)

On this Christmas Day, we praise You, Jesus, as the Son of God.

Before the creation of the world, You were set apart by the Father for a unique mission.
You are our Messiah, the One sent to save us.

As Immanuel, God with us, the One through whom all things were created,
You chose to lie in a manger and die on a cross for us.
You willingly laid aside your majesty to come down into our world.

By believing in You, we have the gift of eternal life.
How amazing is Your power and glory!
May we always hold You in awe as the Son of God.

We praise You, Jesus, as the Son of David.

Your birth was foretold by many prophets who never saw You with their eyes,
but received truth about You through the Holy Spirit.
The Father preserved Your birthright generation after generation.
He fulfilled His promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
to give them countless descendants who would follow You.

You are the Lion of Judah, a King forever in the line of David.
Though You did not establish an earthly rule as many hoped,
You transcended those hopes with a universal kingdom to last for all time.

You are the fulfillment of countless prophecies, prayers and dreams.
May we always honor You as the Son of David.

We praise You, Jesus, as the Son of Man.

The Son of Joseph, a humble carpenter from Nazareth
who chose the path not traveled and proved himself faithful.
The Son of Mary, a young virgin of steadfast faith
who felt You turn in her womb and watched You suffer on a cross.
The Son who impressed teachers of the law
and amazed His parents even as a child.

The Son who understands our weaknesses
and faced all the tests we face yet never sinned.
The Son destined to cause many to fall and many to rise,
opposed without cause yet glorified above all.

As the Son of Man, now You are seated at God’s right hand,
offering prayers for us day and night as the Great High Priest.

You are the stairway between heaven and earth,
the only way we have access to the Father.
You are coming back on the clouds of heaven to give us eternal life.
May we always revere You as the Son of Man.

This Christmas Day, may our thoughts be fixed on You, Jesus.
May we believe in You as the only true God, the Lord over our lives.
May we trust You with all our hurts and hopes.

May we walk in fellowship with You, knowing you perfectly understand us.
May we rejoice in your birth and resurrection,
looking forward to the day when we will see You face to face.

In Your Name we pray, Amen.

Home for Christmas

 

Calvin Aardsma author, reframemedia,com

Scripture Reading — Romans 8:1-17

Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God… And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
—Romans 8:14-15 —

This is the time of year when our hearts turn toward home and loved ones. We look forward to family gatherings, and we are saddened if we can’t be home for Christmas.

For our sake, Christ actually left his home at Christmas. He left the glory of heaven to come to our sin-filled world. The Holy One came to the unholy; the Creator came to his broken, cor-rupted creation.

Sin alienated us from God. Jesus took the initiative to seek us out and bring us back. He came to bear our sin. He came to be cut off from the Father’s love because of his love for us. He came to earth to bring us to heaven. He paid our debt to provide the way home to the Father.

Through Jesus we are adopted as God’s beloved children. It is through Christ that we can call the almighty, holy God “Abba, Father.” Our equivalent word for Abba is “Daddy.” I still remember the joy of times when my children ran to my arms, crying “Daddy!” when I came home. Abba is the trusting child’s cry of joy and love.

What a privilege we have in Jesus that we can call God “Abba, Father.” May we grow as his children in an ever-deepening relationship of gratitude and love.

Prayer

Thank you, Jesus, for coming to earth to bring us home to our heavenly Father. Deepen our love, and may our lives reflect that we are children of God. In your name, Amen.

 

God With Us

Bill Sytsma, author, reframemedia.com

Scripture Reading — John 1:1-14

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
—John 1:14 —

Sometimes it takes a while to understand what is going on around you.

On October 30, 2010, shoppers filled Macy’s department store in Philadelphia. It was a normal shopping day until, without any fanfare, over 650 singers from the area joined the Opera Company of Philadelphia Chorus and began singing Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus.” At first, shoppers appeared confused as they came to see what was happening. The singers were not on a stage but were interspersed among the shoppers. People recorded the event on their cameras, and it soon went public on the Internet. This “random act of culture” may have looked spontaneous, but it took some effort to make this event happen.

When Jesus appeared on earth, it initially looked like a random birth. Though a few people knew of Jesus’ coming, most were unaware of the plans that had been made in heaven in order to bring us a Savior.

The Gospel of John gives us a glimpse into the background planning that went into bringing Jesus to us. The birth of Christ was more than a simple occasion of a young woman giving birth in a stable, to which shepherds and wise men came to visit. This was an occasion that God had choreographed to rescue people from all nations. Let’s rejoice today, for God made his dwelling on earth for us!

Prayer

We praise you for your great plans and works of salvation, Lord Jesus. Help us to see the amazing love you have shown in coming to be with us to save us. Amen.

The Lord Moves in Mysterious Sleighs

 

 

Gene Markland, author, cbn.com

It was December, and the local homeless shelter we supported had 20 children who needed toys for Christmas. I stopped by the dollar store and found some great deals. It was pleasing to come out with three bags of toys for only $30!

Later that evening, my wife, Martha, and I stopped by Toys-R-Us with our three-year-old daughter, Laura, to shop for Christmas toys for her. As we walked through the store and looked at all the beautiful toys, sadness came over me. I was hurt because I wished that I had the money to buy those kids at the shelter more toys. If I were rich, I’d buy those children fine toys from Toys-R-Us, instead of the inexpensive ones I purchased earlier.

I knew I had done my best, yet I felt in my heart that it wasn’t enough. So I prayed to the Lord about the situation. My heart’s cry was to do more.

Moments later, as we stood in the check out line, I heard a commotion behind me in the next line. I turned around and there stood Santa Claus! Now this man looked exactly how you’d expect Santa to look. He wasn’t dressed in a traditional Santa suit. He was dressed in what you might call Santa’s street clothes.

He wore blue jeans, a large black belt with a shiny four-inch buckle, a bright red shirt, black boots that went up to the middle of his calves, a jacket, and a red cap trimmed in white fur. He also wore glasses. I turned to my daughter and said, “Hey Laura, look, it’s Santa Claus!”

As we looked at him, he turned and said, “Merry Christmas. Ho, Ho, Ho!”

He looked so much like Santa Claus that I thought to myself, this guy is really committed. Its one thing to play Santa, but he had white hair that had grown down to his shoulders in a glorious mane and a long white beard that was just as real. He looked like Santa Claus!

He was in the process of making a purchase with a check, and when he opened his wallet to show his driver’s license, that was the cause of the commotion. The cashier was stunned in disbelief. He spoke to me and showed me his license, social security card, and credit cards. On his Virginia license was his picture, white beard and all, and the name Kris, Santa Claus, Kringle! His address was North Pole, Norfolk, Virginia.

Like the cashier, I couldn’t believe they were real. “Oh they’re very real,” He said to me, “That’s my real name, Kris Kringle.”

Amazed, I told my wife what I had just seen. Laura said Merry Christmas to him and we said goodbye as he left. We left the store and noticed him speaking with a little family gathered around their child riding a mechanical horse.

I was putting Laura into our car on this cold dark December night, when I heard something behind me. Turning around I noticed that an older, bright red, mid-sized car had stopped behind our car. Sitting behind the wheel was none other than Kris Kringle. He rolled down his window and asked, “How old is the little one?” We replied that she was three and he asked if he could give her a toy.

“Well sure,” we said. I helped Laura out of the car and as we approached his car we could see that his back seat was completely filled with toys up to the windows. There were all kinds of toys, dolls, stuffed bears, and everything a child could imagine.

Kris got out of the car and had a little toy in a plastic bag for Laura. But she had spied an Ernie doll through the window and exclaimed, “Ernie!” So Kris reached into the car and gave her Ernie and the other toy, then wished her a Merry Christmas. She thanked him.

He proceeded to pull out a three-ring notebook with his picture on the front. Inside was more documentation, such as a birth certificate, tax records, government records, and other papers declaring him as Kris Kringle.

I told him that this was all great and he said, “If you have a church group or any group that needs toys for children, let me know.” My jaw dropped. I tried to compose myself as I told him we were trying to supply toys for around 20 homeless children at the shelter.

He got all excited, said a couple of Ho, Ho, Ho’s, and jumped into his car. He came out and asked me, “How many toys do you need? 60? 80?” Then he handed me a form to fill in the blanks by age grouping for whatever we needed. I almost cried. Here I was scrambling around for toys, just wishing that I could give those children more toys, and the Lord lets me meet Santa Claus!

He opened his trunk and showed me a newspaper article about him and how the Norfolk, Virginia Post Office forwards all the Santa mail to him. He answers every letter. As we stood at his opened trunk, I saw his official Santa clothes, the red suit, neatly laid out.

With that, he got in his car, his sleigh, to leave and as he sat there I said, “Sir, I just can’t believe this. I’m speechless.”

He turned his head, and looked at me over his glasses with a twinkle in his eyes and said in a low voice, “He moves in mysterious ways!”

I chuckled and said to him, “Yes, the Lord does move in mysterious ways.”

Then He said, “Merry Christmas! Ho, Ho, Ho!” And off into the night he drove his “sleigh!” Ha! Ha!

A few days later the children at the shelter received a visit, and loads of toys, from a servant of the Lord, all dressed in red. Yes, the Lord moves in mysterious sleighs! Merry Christmas! 

The Christmas Story

 

 

Ken Barnes, author, cbn.com

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 NASB)

The Christmas story is never complete without the Easter story because the child in Bethlehem was born to die.

Soren Kierkegaard, pastor, and Christian philosopher, often told this story to his congregation during the Christmas season. There once was a king who had great power and wealth who fell in love with a pauper maiden. He knew he should not love her, him being of royalty and her living in poverty, but nonetheless, he did. He wondered how he could capture her love. Being the sovereign monarch, maybe he should just send his soldiers and whisk her away and declare her Queen. But would she just be acquiescing to his power rather than responding to his love? He thought about showering her with gifts up to half his kingdom, but would she love him for his wealth and not for himself? He pondered his dilemma and decided that he only had one choice. He must give up his kingdom and all his royal possessions and power and become a pauper and live like the one he loved. In the end, sacrificial love found a way and triumphed over wealth, power, and position; winning the affection of the one he loved.

Jesus could have declared us righteous without dying, but it would not have fulfilled the will or the law of God.  He could have forced our obedience to His wishes, but like the King in our story, He wanted to win our love and not usurp it.

So, the second person of the Godhead, in all His glory and majesty, the one who always was, always is, and always will be, invades time and space, and comes to this planet in the form of a peasant child. He maintains this posture of humility as He walks this earth for 33 years and He remains obedient to His Father, even to his death, the death on the cross. But this is not the end of the story. Though He walked in meekness, there is always great power in humility, as the grave could not hold Him. He triumphs over that great enigma called death. And because He rose from the dead, the Bible promises, so shall we, who believe in the Son of God.

So, the greatest gift this Christmas morning is that great hope we have of eternal salvation. We never again have to fear the tyranny of death. The Bible says in an almost taunting fashion,

“Oh death, where is your victory? Oh death, where is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55 NASB)

This Christmas morning, whether we have many gifts or only a few under our tree, because of the birth of this baby in Bethlehem, His life, death, and resurrection, we have much for which to be thankful.  As someone once said, “deity met humanity,” so that humanity could embrace immortality.