FRIDAY December 27, 2024

Finding Christ in Christmas

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.
Luke 2:15-16

The shepherds believed the angel’s words––a Savior had been born! They spoke to each other and agreed to leave their fields and flocks to go search for the Child. When they found Mary and Joseph, they saw the Babe lying in the manger, just as the angel had told them. After they had seen Him, they publicly spoke to others about the Newborn Savior and the angelic message they had heard. Those who listened marveled.

Mary was a pensive person. She took in all that was said by the shepherds, and all that had happened, and pondered these things within her heart. The shepherds returned to their flocks in the fields and gave glory to God. They knew how privileged they were to hear the angel proclaim to them good tidings and to see the Savior with their very own eyes (Luke 2:17-20).

Christmas time can be a season of sadness. There is sorrow for those who are no longer with us. For others, there is a sense of emptiness. For those who may be wondering, Is this all there is to life? They need to discover for themselves the reality of the Babe lying in the manger. Find Christ this Christmas!

When you accept Christ, your perspective in life will change. You see, for the sinner, there is a new beginning, a clean slate, and the joy of knowing all their sins are forgiven. For any sorrow, there is comfort, and for an emptiness of life, there is true fulfillment––peace, joy, love and hope.

Thousands each year find their desire for salvation and holiness becoming too acute to bear, and turn to the One who was born in a manger to die on a cross. Then the fleeting beauty that is Christmas enters their hearts to dwell there forever. For who is it that imparts such beauty to the Christmas story? It is none other than Jesus, the Altogether Lovely.
~A.W. Tozer~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!