Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

WISH ALL OF YOU

A MERRY AND

BLESSED

CHRISTMAS
The Dayspring from on high has visited us
 Luke 2:1-20 
Rev M P Samuel
Atlanta MTC
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 saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord (vs. 10,11)

 Today is Christmas. It is a time of joy. It is the day in which Jesus Christ has come to bring radiance of joy into our lives. It was announced in that day by the angel to the shepherds, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you”. The presence of this Savior among us is the reason for great joy. He is Emmanuel, “God with us”. Almighty God has stepped down from heaven to earth to be with us in our life situation. In the birth of this Savior, in other words, "the dayspring from on high"(Luke 1:78 - KJV) has visited us to transform and reshape our lives. It is the dawn of a new era which reaffirms the presence of God among us. It redefines our understanding about the nature of divinity and humanity.
 The nature of the divinity revealed in the Christmas can be seen in the sign given by the angel to the shepherds: a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger (v. 12). He is present in the extreme experiences of  humanity. This is the message and hope that the Christmas gives to the fearful and wounded world. This is the message to the people who left their homeland and live as refugees. This is the message to the people who are going through persecutions and struggles. Yes, our God is present in the pains and struggles of the people. That good news gives joy to all the people.

The shepherds were the first who experienced the great joy because of their positive response to the message that they had received. In the first part of the narration, we see some people who denied the occasion of great joy because of their inhuman responses, by closing the doors of the inn. But in the case of shepherds, they responded to the message in a different way. They made themselves available for the great joy and saw the child lying in the manger. This is the challenge that we face today. Are we willing to make ourselves available to see Christ who is in the difficult life experiences of the people? Do our Christmas celebrations help us to respond positively to the needs of the people around us? 

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, give us a genuine heart to see Your presence in the midst of the pains and sorrows around us and to make ourselves available to spread the great joy around us. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
  
"Christmas is truly the essence
Of joy that the Savior brings;
Christmas is surely the presence
Of Jesus, the Kings of Kings!"
                                              
William Arthur Ward


Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind who are evil by nature, give good gifts t
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tell a child as to why they’ve been a
Read more