These past weeks I have been blessed by the testimonies of three strong Christian women. One lost her husband unexpectedly due to heart attack. Another has recurring cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy sessions. The third one has passed on due to cancer. The first two friends when I talked to them – I am the one even more inspired and encouraged. There is pain, there is sadness at the same time there is peace, courage and positivity. The friend that passed on at the young age of 47 has left a legacy of deep conviction. She had a long battle with cancer, and she demonstrated strength, perseverance and grace. Her beautiful smile, her warm spirit, her generous heart will always stay on with the people whose lives she has touched including mine.
What is common among these three? What is it in them that they can have joy amidst insurmountable trials? The answer is their profound faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is claiming His promise of healing and eternal life. Our time here on earth is not the end. There is a perfect place that awaits us called heaven where we will be reunited with our loved ones who has gone before us. Furthermore, we will inherit incorruptible bodies and serve our Heavenly Father in eternity. It will be epic. It will be magnificent. It will be amazing.
Jesus Christ who is the way to glorious heaven is the reason for our Christmas celebration. I recommend reading the Christmas story in Luke chapters 1 and 2. Luke paints a descriptive and exciting story of Jesus’ birth – from the announcement of the angel to Mary of her miraculous conception, to another miracle of pregnancy through Mary’s relative Elizabeth, the journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the appearance of the angels to the shepherds announcing Jesus’ birth, and the nativity scene. We have read it previously; we have seen it in movies, but it is great to relive it especially in this season. There is always a new meaning, a new message.
For me the new message is to remain unbending from the true essence of this season. Yes, this year’s celebration will be different because of the lockdown and the ongoing pandemic but the Celebrator remains the same. Christmas joy is not measured by the parties we go to, the gifts we exchange with one another, the events we attend. It is much deeper than that. It is the recognition that our Saviour has come. He was born into this earth, experienced how it is to be human, lived not in luxury, understood and continues to understand us. He shared with us the good news of salvation. He fulfilled His mission by dying on the cross for you and me. He is resurrected and now sits at the right hand of the Heavenly Father. For those who believe in Him, He resides in our hearts and we can live meaningful and abundant lives on this earth while anticipating being reunited with Him in heaven. Perhaps with this pandemic, you and I will learn to be still and focus on Jesus without any distractions. This stillness and focus will make us appreciate the more important things in life.
If you have not discovered this relationship with Jesus Christ yet, this is the perfect time to know Him – not just as a historical figure or someone famous but accepting Him in your heart. I guarantee that this will be the best decision in your life. He’s just a prayer away. That’s the beauty of it... no need to do good works to earn redemption. No need to follow every commandment, NO ONE has ever done it and NO ONE ever will. Trust and acceptance of salvation that only Jesus brings is the ONLY way.
Putting into practice this amazing grace of deliverance that we have in Christ, we can spread hope and positivity. Even though no one will come and visit our homes, we can still put up the decorations. It’ll lift up our own and our family’s spirits. We can be creative in being together and continue to have fun – connect with loved ones through video calls. There are countless ideas from YouTube of how to conduct Zoom parties. More importantly, we can remain to be giving. There will always be someone within our circle that needs our support – reach out to him/her. This year has been tough, and we know a lot who has lost someone/something, under health/financial or other personal crisis. May God grant us sensitive hearts to know who they are and the wisdom to know how to best help them. We can give to food banks and trusted charitable organizations that will guarantee to reach out to those that are in dire need. For those in the GTA, Portico Community Church will have a drop off on December 19, Saturday, 5 – 8pm. Bring non-perishable items and come by at 1814 Barbertown Road, Mississauga. In your area, there are a lot of institutions/churches that has the same initiatives. May all these churn ideas to spread the boundless delight that is in our hearts in a tangible way.
Praise God that we can have this unspeakable joy through His Son, Jesus Christ. No matter the situation, no matter the ups and downs in life, this joy remains unshakeable, active and constant.
Luke 2: 8-14
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
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