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Feeling knocked down this Christmas?

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What will be your highlight of 2022? I’ve got a bunch, but one that tops the list happened in September. It ranks right up there with Lazarus rising from the dead. Almost.

We had received the sad news that a family friend had suffered a crippling stroke and was in a bad way. It was a real shock because “Mike” was a young father – my age – and in excellent physical shape. As a family, we prayed for healing.

A few days later, Mike sent us a text. “Paul and Camilla, we’re in town. Can we swing by?”

“Sure,” we said. “It’d be great to see you.”

We had so many questions. Did Mike write that text or did it come from his wife? Isn’t he supposed to be in hospital? Is he mobile? Will he be able to climb our stairs?

When Mike and his wife drove up we met them in the driveway. He climbed out of the car and gave us a big grin. He looked his regular self. I was astonished. “Mate, you look terrific.”

“I won’t lie to you,” said Mike. “It’s been a rough ride. But things are looking good.” He was a walking miracle. Thank you, Jesus.

I mention Mike because his story is the story of 2023. Think about it. At the start of the year we were in good shape. Then we got hit with a war, fuel prices skyrocketed, and groceries became a luxury item. It’s been tough year. But like Mike, we’re still here.

A couple of weeks ago, I caught Covid. It was my first time. A dozen different symptoms came at me like enemy soldiers, one after the other. It was no fun. But like Mike, I’m still here.

When I was fighting the virus, a friend pasted an encouraging verse on my FB page: “Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers us from them all” (Ps. 34:19). We get knocked down, but by the grace of God we get up again.

This being my annual Christmas message is normally the place where I talk about all the big things we’ve done this year or the things we’re hoping to do next year. (You can read about my plans here.)

And this is normally the place where I personally thank all those wonderful people who support my writing and make it possible for me to produce things like the Grace Commentary and the new Grace Bible.

But today I just want to encourage your faith. If you’re knocked down, be encouraged. You’re going to get up again.

Here’s another great verse: “Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise” (Mic. 7:8). It may be the end of 2022, but it is not the end of you.

May your family enjoy the peace and favor and VICTORY of our Lord in this season.

Merry Christmas!

Paul

PS: I have a special Christmas gift just for patrons. It’s a story called “The Traveler and the Monk It can be found on Patreon and the supporters’ page here on E2R.

786. Christmas: Just Exactly What Are We Celebrating?

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The birth of Jesus is perhaps the most celebrated event in the history of the world. When we think of the Christmas holiday, we probably picture the baby Jesus and a manger scene with angels communicating with shepherds. And yet the birth would mean nothing without the death that would occur a few decades later. Jesus was born at a time when the Mosaic law and Old Covenant with Israel was still in place. It would be with His death and the shedding of blood that would bring a better covenant to replace the first one … for all of mankind.

The real celebration with God entering the world as a human is that He would do a work resulting in justification, forgiveness, redemption, righteousness and so much more—which He extended through perfect love by grace. This is why believers have peace with God. The Savior brought faith and life—and it’s much more excellent than a religious system of works which falls short. When it comes to your celebration this year, don’t keep hanging out at the manger, but remember the ultimate result of what it brought.



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The Three Nights of Christmas

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It’s that time of the year where we gather with friends and family to celebrate Christmas and to tie a bow on the year that was. 2020 has been an interesting year, as the Chinese would say, and few will be sad to see it end. But even though this was a challenging year, 2020 was not without its highlights: Many of us spent far more time with our families than we might otherwise have done. We met our neighbors and discovered corners of our communities we had no idea existed. We learned how to pivot and attend meetings in our PJs, and we heard a great song. We learned to be resilient and we also learned that it’s okay not to be okay every single day. A small gift Since this Christmas feels different, I’ve been casting about for a special way to mark the occasion. In the past few days I have written something for my kids to read at the dinner table. It’s the story of Christmas told three ways. It’s rough and I don’t have a better name for it than “The Three Nights of Christmas.” If you have children, you may want to pick one, [...]

734. Forgiveness: The Christmas Witness

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In order to really get a hold of the complete Christmas message, we’ll need to look beyond the birth of Jesus and the manger scene. The entrance of God into this world as a human being was a prelude to something much bigger than turning water into wine, multiplying fish sandwiches and even raising dead bodies which had been placed into the grave.

God sent Jesus to provide the world with something so massive, magnificent and monumental … that it exceedingly surpasses beyond all that we could ask or think.



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Merry Christmas from the Shaky Isles

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As you may have heard, one of New Zealand’s many volcanoes erupted last week killing more than a dozen tourists plus a couple of local tour guides. It was a tragedy and a reminder that our time on earth is short. So make the most of it this Christmas. Treasure your families. Make memories. Live fully. Love deeply. Tell your kids about Jesus, who remains the Reason for the Season. This year has been a challenging and shaky one for us. But we come to the end of it full of gratitude and hope, knowing God is our solid rock in uncertain times. And because of his unchanging faithfulness, we are confident that the coming year will be awesome. What’s in store for 2020? Here are three things to look forward to: 1. March 28, 2020. If you’re in New Zealand, keep this date free for the official book launch of The Chocolate Gospel. And as we never had an official launch for Letters from Jesus, we’ll include that one too. 2. The Women’s Book. (Sorry, I don’t have a better title yet.) I am super-excited about this one. Draft chapters for my next book are already going up on [...]

683. Merry Christmas from the Growing in Grace Podcast

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After another year of talking about God’s goodness and grace, Christmas gives us a week to reflect upon the birth of Jesus and the miracle of His birth. But on this week’s program, we also discuss his human boyhood and how He grew in wisdom and stature. Other topics this week include The Three Stooges, Adam’s age when he was first created… also the wise men and how tradition has “photoshopped” them into the manger scene.

We're looking forward to returning in the new year with a whole bunch of brand new Growing in Grace podcast episodes, talking about the Good News of Jesus! We're taking a short break from recording next week, but do come back here to GrowingInGrace.org, as Mike and Joel will reflect on 2018 by sharing a few of their favorite episodes from the past year.



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Is Santa Claus Our Projection of The Messiah?

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Shopping Mall Santa

I earned some extra Christmas money during college days as I worked as a shopping-mall-Santa. It was good money, but it almost ruined the Christmas season for me. You can only listen to Christmas mall music so long, before you fall on the sword. And of course, there were the children who got so excited they couldn't control their bladder while sitting on my knee. It took a few years, but the joy of the season revived. I love the music, laughter, smiles, giving, and Santa.

I don't want to ruin the Santa experience for children, but it does bother me that many adults have not made the distinction between Santa and Jesus. I fear that the most common concept of Jesus is closer to Santa than to the Jesus who appears on the pages of the New Testament.

Jesus and Santa Claus

He was God who came as a human to give himself to rescue us from the bondage of the tri-fold tyranny of sin, self and Satan. He is not keeping a list of who is naughty or nice. We are all naughtier than we know. He doesn't reward the nice with gifts while leaving black coal in the stockings of the rest. Only the fully obedient gets the reward. Jesus, as a human, did that.

He doesn't just come to town periodically to judge and dispense gifts. He came to live with us in intimate fashion, 24/7. In fact, he made his people living stones in his permanent temple on earth.

He doesn't just consider our wish list with care. He gives us what we need -- even when we don't know it. His list of prepared gifts is astounding. We would settle for some temporal toys, while he brings eternal life with all its benefits.

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In an effort to be inclusive and inoffensive, Christians have quietly succumbed to a secularized Christmas. Santa typifies our concept of God as mythical, transactional (If we offer our goodness, he gives his gifts), and useful for the naive. The radical act of God becoming man is too much to comprehend. And after all, Santa usually ignores the "list" and gives good things to all who want a gift. So, God must not really be serious about our aligning with his design for living.

Surely we are not so naughty as to need a Savior to die in our stead. That is too bloody and violent. If he exists at all, he must just offer advice on how to be better people.

The Real Message of Christmas

The real message of Christmas is earthshaking. It is no wonder that the wise men traveled, the shepherds were amazed, and the angels sang. Santa is a laughable myth we can enjoy for a few days. Jesus is the Lord of all who gives us the Spirit that raised him from the dead and grants us joy forever.

Santa comes to town once a year. Jesus came to earth once, and nothing has been the same since. We can wink at Santa, but we worship when we see Jesus. And we don't have to wait until he comes again.

Merry Christmas! (2017 Christmas Card)

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We hope you’ve had a wonderful Christmas season honoring & celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ as well as spending time with your family and friends. In this upcoming year may each of our hearts burst with gratitude toward our gracious heavenly Father – everyday – for sending His only begotten Son, Jesus, […]

The post Merry Christmas! (2017 Christmas Card) appeared first on Sandra McCollom.

Peace On Earth

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During this Christmas season, one will often see signs and banners declaring the words of Luke 2:14: “Peace on Earth, goodwill towards men.”  This was the angel’s proclamation to the lowly shepherds as they were tending their flocks by night.  They announced the birth of Jesus with this declaration. However, many don’t find much peace

579. God With Us: Merry Christmas

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We know Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus as the savior of the world.  But it can be a challenge to grasp the idea of God becoming human, becoming one of us and enduring temptation in the same way we do, yet without sin.  Why is it that it would require a man who would bring redemption to a fallen human race?  We know this occurred, but we don’t always stop to think about why.  We often think of Jesus as the Son of God but He was also the Son of man.  This week, we have a conversation that takes a closer look at the human side in the life of Jesus.



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