By Misty Strieff Prine
“If you look for me at Christmas you won’t need a special star. I’m no longer just in Bethlehem, I’m right there where you are. You may not be aware of Me amid the celebrations. You’ll have to look beyond the stores and all the decorations. But if you take a moment from your list of things to do and listen to your heart, you’ll find I’m waiting there for you. You’re the one I want to be with, you’re the reason that I came, and you’ll find Me in the stillness as I’m whispering your name. Love, Jesus.” – Author Unknown.
I came across this poem today that I thought was full of such beautiful reminders of Christ and why we distinguish this time of year as "CHRISTmas." Many years ago, when Christ's first coming was recorded, it talked about how that beautiful, bright star, like none other, shone in the sky that told everyone that saw it, that something special had happened in Bethlehem. It pointed the wisemen straight to the Christ child who was lying in a humble stable, far from being fit for a King, to which they found him lying in a manger wrapped in swaddling clothes.
Now, fast forward to today. We don't need a special star to find Jesus. He is no longer in Bethlehem's stable, but in our hearts. This Christmas, we need to search for Him, just as the Wisemen did. Not by direction from a star but by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In the hustle and bustle of the season that is upon us, we need to slow things down a bit and pause our hectic schedules. We need to remember the true meaning of CHRISTmas and why Christ's name is IN the name itself. He is the reason we have hope for a secured future, but it only comes by accepting Him as Lord and Savior of our lives.
Because of us, God sent His one and only Son to this earth that we may come to know Him as our personal Savior and Lord. The way He came defined humbleness and to receive Him into our hearts today, requires great humbleness on or part. We must set our selfishness aside, admit that we are lost without Him, that we can do NOTHING on our own, and that Jesus is the one and ONLY answer to every problem, every weakness...EVERYTHING. He is the King, He is Majesty, He is mighty to save, and He is
the Great I Am. So, this Christmas, may we pause a moment and give Him our undivided attention. He gives us His. He is there the minute we ask. He is no longer a stranger to the world. He is the King! He is our refuge, our strength, our victory!
Merry Christmas to each and every one of you and I pray God’s blessings upon you and your family this Christmas season.
**For daily devotionals, you can follow me on Facebook at The Upward Way or on Instagram at the_upward_way. I’d love to see you there!
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