Look out, former procrastinators – the volume of Christmas-themed merchandise has exploded! Besides trees, ornaments, lights, poinsettias, and wreaths, there’s a Christmas version of everything from dish towels to doggie sweaters to door mats. I like themed items. They’re fun.
In the plethora of stuff I noticed I haven’t seen one nativity scene on the shelves anywhere.
I have seen banners, pillows, and coffee mugs that say, “Believe,” “Joy,” “Peace,” “Faith,” Miracles.”
For those of us who know the Lord, those words are meaningful expressions. For folks who don’t yet know Him, what are they encouraged to believe? Or have faith in? What is the source of their joy? Where do they find peace? What is a miracle?
The Christmas season makes us mindful of belief, joy, peace, faith, miracles because it reminds us Jesus was born to take away our sins and to reconcile us to Almighty God. Without Jesus those wonderful things are elusive at best.
What we believe in and have faith in must be true. Otherwise, there is nothing reliable to count on. Joy and peace must be sourced in truth or they are a tease. Miracles must be of the Lord or we are subject to delusion.
Jesus is the source of truth and our belief, of joy, peace, faith, real miracles. Since we know Him, have seen Him, we have the privilege of being like the shepherds who saw Him as a baby then ran and told, “He has come!”
We should share the gospel all year, but Christmas provides a wide open door to enter when people have searching, tender hearts. If I delay speaking the truth and real beauty of Christmas, I might well miss the prime opportunity with someone whose heart the Lord has prepared to hear in this season.
If I delay speaking the truth of Christmas, I’m like a shepherd who sees and hears the host of angels, gazes on the face of the long awaited Savior, and says to his fellow shepherds, “Hey, you guys go on to town and tell about this. I’m going back and sit on the hillside.”
I’d rather be a shepherd who responds promptly and humbly to the Holy Spirit’s urging to share the Good News. My life is changing because of Jesus! I’ve seen Him and things are different! Others have been waiting for Him too. They will want to know! I have to tell!
Those pillows and mugs with their spiritual expressions give us cause to rejoice because of Jesus. They encourage us to speak of Him to others so their hearts have true reason to believe, know joy and peace, have faith, and recognize miracles. They can genuinely rejoice because Christ has come for them!
What might you say to a woman holding a pillow embroidered “Believe”?
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