Christmas has been called “the most wonderful time of the year.”  Yet, for most people it is also the craziest time of the year.  This is when we try to add to our already busy and overscheduled lives – Christmas parties, Christmas cards, Christmas decorations and the desire to buy a gift for everyone we have ever known or met.  Through all the madness, what usually happens is people miss or forget what the season is truly all about – “Immanuel – God with us!”

This Christmas, let’s begin a revolution!  Let’s begin to see Christmas from God’s point of view, and in the process make a commitment to “Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More and Love All.”  The change will bring a welcome breath of fresh air to a season that has lost its identity in our consumer driven culture.  Think about the people who were first there – Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds – what did they see?; what did they experience?  Why did God choose to share the first Christmas with them?  In this series, “Do You See What I See?” we will go back to the beginning of it all to find the Gift that changed the world.  And, it might surprise you, but it wasn’t a $30 sweater from GAP.

Luke tells about Jesus’ birth through Mary’s eyes. Why was it important for Luke to communicate about the birth of the Messiah through the eyes of His mother? Think about your own story. Whether you’re a mother or are close to someone who is, seeing the world from a mother’s perspective is a life-changing shift. Not only would Mary’s life be different, but she understood that Jesus’ life would be special in ways she couldn’t even comprehend. This Sunday we discussed the three key reasons God chose Mary to be the mother of Jesus – she was humble, willing and obedient – and talked about how we should react with the same humility, willingness and obedience when the Holy Spirit moves in our own lives.

This week, try to put yourself in Mary’s shoes. Go back and read Luke 1:26-38 and see how a poor, uneducated, teenage girl stepped out in faith and allowed God to use her in an amazing way. And guess what, He wants to use you too! So this Christmas season, instead of stressing over what gift you’ll buy for the person who doesn’t really need anything, set your heart on finding, meeting and experiencing the Savior of the world – God’s Gift to you!

Posted in Series Extras  ::  Add your comment