Following the Star

Pause

Ever wondered what it means to keep Christ in Christmas? Well, you’re doing it right now!

You’re taking a break from shopping or Christmas goodies or a gift exchange because a nudge from the Spirit invited you to pause.

You are taking specific steps to live out your belief that Jesus is the reason for the season.

Listen

But when the fulfillment of the time came, God sent his Son, born through a woman, and born under the Law. This was so he could redeem those under the Law so that we could be adopted. Because you are sons and daughters, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!” Therefore, you are no longer a slave but a son or daughter, and if you are his child, then you are also an heir through God.

Galatians 4:4-7

Think

I celebrate two birthdays. I celebrate the day I was born, and I celebrate the day my adoptive parents brought me home and called me their own.

These verses from Galatians makes me think there are really two birthdays we could celebrate at Christmas. We celebrate Jesus’ birthday, but we can also celebrate Christmas as our own adoption day. Paul said because the Spirit of Jesus is living in us, we can all claim family ties to God. We are the adopted sons and daughters of the One who created heaven and earth and everything in it.

Think of the amazing inheritance! An infinite supply of goodness and mercy that follows us all through life and on into eternity.

Tammy Wiens

Pray

God of the whole earth, it’s pretty cool that you adopt all of us as daughters and sons. Thank you for including me in your family. Teach me how to be a "child of God" and guide the way I think and act in my relationship with you. Help me to see others as part of my family and recognize what it means that you’ve adopted them too. Amen.

Go

May your heart be full of gladness
And the peace that covers sadness
May your joy be overflowing
And your many blessings growing
May you have the time you've longed for
With the people that you love
May you have yourself a merry Christmas now.

Sara Groves, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” 2008