This is the busiest time of the year: Christmas decorations to put up, packages to wrap, shopping trips, cookies to be baked, plans to be made, holiday events, parties and get togethers, the list goes on and on. With such a fast paced month ahead the importance of where we put our time, our eyes and our energy has been weighing heavily on my heart. TV shows, music, events, traditions and people all can affect what and who we deem as important. Things of this world can knock our priorities out of balance in an instant. When our priorities are out of balance the devil is delighted and will take advantage of kicking us when we are already wobbly. If you are drained, unmotivated or simply tired look at where you are putting your time and what you are investing in.
Worship, church, the word, prayer, fellowship are all activities that will refresh and renew you. With the holidays in full swing it is so easy to get distracted: the demands of people, traditions and events can be exhausting to keep up with. While we are running around, hopping from one store to another or one party to another, it’s easy to forget that these distractions make us tread on unsteady ground. This holiday season keep your priorities straight, stay firm with Jesus and put Him first.
Christmas is not about how many lights are on the tree or how many presents there are left to get it’s about the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. About the promise that He gave us, about the ransom He paid, and how He opened a way to Heaven to all who have a relationship with Him. Don’t buy into the distractions, this December show Him your devotion for the precious gift He gave us!
Matthew 1:18-25
New King James Version (NKJV)
Christ Born of Mary
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”
So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.
You are fearfully and wonderfully made
(Psalm 139:14)
Melissa
