Let’s face it Christmas can stretch our money. Here are 5 financial tips to succeed this Christmas.
Christmas day reflection and prayer
Series: Christmas week Reflection 2015 – Part 5 
The angle said to the Shepherd “do not be afraid.” I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10)
The same message is for us today. Do not be afraid. It is because of the good news that we do not have to be afraid. The good news of Jesus is life changing and no matter the storm, Jesus light can shine through.
At times our problem is we do not believe God loved us, on the basis of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection.
Our challenge for us is believing that our relationship with God is actually our biggest issues in life.
The gospel is news about what God has done in history to save us, rather than advice about what we must do to reach God. Jesus does not just bring good news; he is the good news.
Yet even his followers struggle to really believe that Jesus came for us.
This Christmas day we remember that we are no longer lost. Even when the storm is blowing around, God is with us.
Take a moment today and write out five things that are you thankful for and three people you can pray for.
A prayer for you:
Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son to earth as a baby so many years ago. Thank you that He paid the punishment for my sins by dying on the cross. And thank you that He rose again to prove that death was truly defeated. I place my trust in You to be my Savior. Guide me through the dark times of my life and give me the courage to live for You. Amen (from max Lucado)
God’s Arrival – Micah 5:2-5a
Series: Christmas week reflection 2015- Part 4
In scripture, there is a long story of the coming seed, a coming messiah. This passage contains both a promise for the moment, and a promise for the future. It is important to note that this passage comes on the heels of God speaking about the last days. Through the prophet, God shares a picture in chapter four of His end goal. Then in 4:11 God shares that he sees the storm His people are in. They cannot control their circumstances and they are all wondering: where is God? Chapter four ends with the prophet sharing that the storm does not know the thoughts of the LORD or understand the plans of the LORD. It is in the midst of the storm that God meets his people and sends a message.
In Chapter five, in the midst of the storm, there is a promise of a king, a shepherd who will come. In the arrival of this King, Shepherd, ruler, there will be a peace (5:5). This is not a peace from the storm, but that they will have peace in him. (Eph. 2:14)
In this promise, they are reminded the Shepherd will not abandon them. In this promise, they are reminded when the messiah comes they will live securely. In this promise, they are reminded when the messiah comes he will be their peace.
This advent week and Christmas Eve we remember that the messiah has come. His peace does not come from having more, or military or political, or selfish gain. It is a peace that will come from one who is from ancient times. This is a different peace than what our world knows.
The challenge for many is trusting this peace. If it were a bridge, do we trust that it will hold us up when we do not have control? This Jesus who has come gives peace. He calls us to follow him and as we journey with him a peace comes. I am not sure if I fully understand the power of this peace or have embraced it fully, however, Jesus stands near to you and says follow me.
For many, we go searching for peace in everything but Jesus, at times drawing on other sources other than the one who has come. We believe that we will get ourselves through the storm and be our own everlasting peace.
However, Jesus stands before you today, your only hope, and is calling you to follow. This Christmas eve invite him into the storm and let the light shine in the darkness. This Christmas eve, celebrate that he has come for you and know that the peace which surpasses all understanding is yours. Take a moment of prayer and drink from the everlasting living water.
God’s provision – Isaiah 12:1-6
Series: Christmas week reflection 2015 – Part 3
God’s people live with the end in sight.
The passage today begins with “In that day,” and transfers us to a future reflection. It is a song of anticipation. Like a child joyfully waiting for the moment to unwrap a Christmas present, we wait in anticipation of the second coming of Jesus. When that day comes there will be peace in God’ s creation. In part, some of that peace has come in Jesus.
Isaiah chapters 7-12 speak to those who are hanging on to God in the midst of the surrounding storm of sin and international war. He has been challenging King Ahaz to trust in God, but the king has rejected God’s offered signs of his presence with his people. I wonder how often we do that?
Who around you do you need to look to for help or can be reminders of God’s provision?Isaiah speaks out from the storm of a great enemy upon them and shares a light in the form of a descendant of David who would be God with us. Israel lived in the tension of will God provide what they need in this moment or do they put their trust in Assyria? Isaiah, however, was living with the end in sight. Yes, the storm was great around them, but a peace would and was coming.
Followers of Jesus live with the end in sight because it reminds us of who God is.
This song of anticipation reminds us that God is at work. He will provide what you need for the storm and future. Our hope and peace are based upon who God is, not upon how we feel. Likewise, God’s provision is based upon who God is, not how we feel.
We have some of this provision today. God’s anger has been turned away from those who follow Jesus. Advent is the beginning of the story as we look to Easter and the death and resurrection of Jesus. God’s wrath was placed upon Jesus for you. God is our salvation, he equips us for life and brings us out of the darkness and into the light. Will you follow him there?
Will you draw joy from the living water (v.3)?
This song of Isaiah becomes an anticipation of the newness that would follow. It is living with the end in sight because it reminds us that God is at work. In Jesus, God provides what we need for the storm we are in. This is the salvation that Isaiah speaks of.
God’s Guidance – Luke 1:69-79
Series: Christmas week reflection 2015 – Part 2
The music group Third day wrote and sang a song with the tagline “Keep holding on.” The song is about the storms and the challenging seasons of life.
Here are the words.
I won’t pretend to know what you’re thinking. I can’t begin to know what you’re going through. I won’t deny the pain that you’re feeling,
But I’m gonna try and give a little hope to you.
Just remember what I’ve told you. There’s so much you’re living for
There’s a light at the end of this tunnel. There’s a light at the end of this tunnel
For you, for you, there’s a light at the end of this tunnel.
Shinin’ bright at the end of this tunnel, For you, for you
So keep holdin’ on
You’ve got your disappointments and sorrows. You ought to share the weight of that load with me. Then you will find that the light of tomorrow.
Brings a new life for your eyes to see
So remember what I’ve told you. There’s so much you’re living for
Zechariah in our text today is also singing a song. Zechariah reviews the promises and recalls the voice of God through the prophets and King David. He recognizes God’s mercy and salvation even in the face of sin as well as in the wake of suffering, destruction and death. His song declares God has remembered. He declares that Jesus will guide our feet into the path of peace (Luke 1:79).
We are reminded this week that God is active in our world and keeps his promises. In the midst of the storm, it can be so dark it is hard to see. Psalm 23 reminds us that the great shepherd comes and meets us in the valley. He sets a table and instead of taking us out, builds us up. He feeds us, declares we are his and prepares us for the journey out. There is a light at the end of the tunnel
When Zechariah was at that point in his life, he wondered if God would ever guide and fulfil his promise. He would have to wait, but it would come. Jesus came to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death (Lk. 1:79). He is for you and with you. Jesus is the one who rescues you from the grip of fear, evil, sin, and enemies. Jesus enables us to serve God, to live in holiness and righteousness, and helps us to experience the life we were created for.
I will leave you with these words from a friend:
If I am unhappy, God will be with me.
If I am unhappy, God will hold my hand and lead me to still waters.
You want peace, let God into your story this Christmas, this season. He was always there.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Do not fear the storm. Hang on.
God loves you.
God is with you.
God is for you.