Christmas blessings to you and yours
My favorite Christmas meditation is Emmanuel, God with us.
That was God’s pure intention for Christmas. The Creator of all there is wanted to be with us and always has.
If, right now, as you are reading these words, you felt him put his arm around you or take your hand, you would experience the miracle of Christmas.
One of the first things I did when I held my sons for the first time was take their tiny hand in mine. I imagine Mary and Joseph did the same thing. God was tangibly with them that first Christmas and is equally present with us today.
Jesus is Emmanuel.
A PERFECT CHRISTMAS
Each Christmas is filled with traditions, yet none are ever the same. Plans change. Some things work out and others do not. This Christmas will be like any other in that respect. The only perfectly planned Christmas is told from the pages of Scripture.
There is a sweet simplicity to the first Christmas that I would wish for all of us this year. The angel told the shepherds, “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10–11).
CHRISTMAS 2020
Christmas—especially Christmas 2020—is a celebration of God’s good news and great joy.
Christmas is for everyone even though everyone doesn’t receive the gift they were given. Jesus was wrapped up for all of us so that he could be our Messiah, our Lord. I’m praying there will be many who meet the Christmas child for the first time. Christmas 2020 will be perfected by their salvation.
For all of us who have known our Savior for many years, we should take a few minutes to hold the baby close and take his small hand in our own. I can’t imagine how God could have allowed that hand to one day be pierced for my sake.
God loves us that much.
CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS
This is my Christmas “card” to all of you. I am thankful and grateful to you for reading. It is my great privilege to share some “God-thoughts” each week. It gives me joy to know that I have all of eternity to get to know each of you—someday.
For now, please know that I wish you a safe, joy-filled, blessed Christmas filled with special memories and moments.
I hope one of those “moments” will be the quiet contemplation of a baby boy, born in Bethlehem, raised by ordinary people with an extraordinary calling.
Christmas is about fixing our eyes on Jesus, “the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). He gave up heaven to become a baby and be with us. God wanted us to spend eternity with him.
I wanted to send you this Christmas moment video to enjoy this year. It moved me to tears, and I wanted to share it with all of you. Take some time before Christmas arrives and allow Jesus to put his hand in yours as you listen.
Emmanuel.
God is with you.
Will you take this time to be with him?
All of us at Denison Ministries wish you and yours a blessed Christmas.
We are privileged to send you a few moments with God’s word each week.
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Thank you for helping us send God’s biblical perspective to people around the globe.
Merry Christmas.
Gratefully, Janet