Daily Reading: I Peter 3, 4, 5

Christmas Rush

I Peter 4:12-13 (NIV)

12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.

I Peter 5:6-7 (NIV)

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

Good morning!

When asked what he wanted most for Christmas, I heard the pastor reply, “Wouldn’t it be nice if our people rushed to worship like they rush to the malls for a great holiday deal? Wouldn’t it be awesome if folks lined up on the church property on Saturday night with their sleeping bags and pup tents, and camped outside in the cold, just to get a front row seat on Sunday morning? Wouldn’t it be something if people couldn’t wait to enter the sanctuary in anticipation of experiencing the holy presence of Almighty God?” How much would you be willing to spend this Christmas on a little peace of mind? What would it be worth to you in knowing someone paid the price for your sin? Wouldn’t it be strange to find yourself thanking God for the suffering and pain you endure, knowing His glory is being continually revealed in you?

We can get caught up in the hustle bustle of the holiday rush. We try to squeeze in just one more holiday party, attend another Christmas concert, and steal a few extra minutes in the coffee shop exchanging gifts with our friends. Why the hurry? What is it that makes us rush around so?

Many of the new Christian converts did not know Jesus in the flesh, as He walked on earth. Like you and me, they were told the story of his birth, life, death and resurrection by the apostles, and believed, by the power of the Holy Spirit. They celebrated new life together in community every day, knowing their faith would lead to eventual persecution and quite possibly, death. The Apostle Peter wrote to the church just before Emperor Nero began his incessant crusade against Christians in Rome and throughout the region. Peter had been on “both sides” of the fence. Fearing he might die at the hand of Roman guards, he denied knowing His Lord that awful night in Jerusalem, just before Jesus was crucified. In that horrifying moment, Peter discovered that separation from the Lord was a worse punishment than any pain he may endure on earth. As a word of encouragement to the fellowship of believers, Peter reminded them to hold fast in faith, especially in daily suffering, choosing not to forget the gift of grace they have received. He admonished the people to live each day in complete and total submission to the One who came to save.

Are we rushing around for the right reason? Wouldn’t it be incredible to see people flock to the church this weekend, so they can rededicate their lives to the Lord? Hungry for His gift that transcends all time, the people kneel down, and confess with their mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord of all. As you rush around this week, remember the gift of grace that has been given just for you. Maybe the Christmas rush is not such a bad thing after all, especially if we are rushing to share the message of salvation with the world.

How will you choose to share the gift of everlasting life with the people in your life? This is the week before Christmas. We have a message to share with the world. There is no greater gift than the gift of salvation. We cannot purchase it at the shopping mall, and there is no better holiday party than the one happening inside your local church. Grab your neighbors and family members and bring them out to worship the Lord. Share the gift that will never end.

There will be great joy one glad morning when His glory is fully revealed. Until then, we can expect to endure suffering. Do not be surprised or afraid to rush toward the Lord. Every Christian should be in a great big hurry right now. We should be much more concerned about sharing the Good News of the Gospel, to those who may be feeling a sense of separation and loneliness. Peter understood what it was like to be scared, to the point he would choose to deny the Lord. Listen to the words of the Apostle today, and renew your sense of urgency, not in the time-honored traditions of our culture, but in the everlasting promise of our Redeemer.

There is an immediate need to spread the Gospel around the world. We should feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, and bring hope to the hopeless, especially in this season of light. This Christmas season, I pray that people will line up at the doors of the church to experience the best holiday party ever. This is the celebration of Emmanuel, God with us. It’s is Christ’s birth day. And it can be your new birth day, if you’ll simply ask Him to come and live in your heart today.

This, my friends, is my Christmas prayer for you.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: the holidays to become true holy days in your life. Find a new way to share faith in Christ with the people you meet. Start a new tradition! Break with the old, and ring in the new, even if it brings you a little pain and suffering in the process. The best gift we can give is the salvation message of our infant King.

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© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

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