As we get closer to the Advent season, I am reminded to keep everything in perspective. I can get overwhelmed with Christmas programs, lessons that need to be written, children that need my attention, and just normal everyday life. It seems as we do get closer to the holidays, we get busier. School programs, church functions, and family get-togethers all seem to crowd our calendar so much that it’s hard to enjoy it. Have we scheduled in time for Him?
“Jesus is the reason for the season.”
That is a popular saying these days, but do we truly believe it? What on our calendar shows that He is our priority? Everything we do should lead us back to Him. The lessons, crafts, and activities that we do with our children show lead them to the birth of Jesus. Instead of making a picture of Santa Claus, have your children make a picture of the nativity. Instead of reading, “The Night Before Christmas”, read them the Bible story in Luke 2 about the birth of Jesus.
Philippians 2:5-7 tells us, “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.”
Do we realize what Jesus did for us when He was born a child on this Earth? This verse says that Jesus “emptied Himself”. He did that for you and me. Can we empty our schedules to fit more of Him in?
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
We have all heard this verse and probably memorized it as a child. Do we realize what it’s saying?
God loved us so much that He GAVE His only Son. He GAVE His Son to us because He loves us.
Wow! That’s quite a love! Do the items on our calendars show our love towards Him?
The question is: What am I doing to celebrate the real reason for it all?
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If you need more encouragement, read these other devotionals about Advent for ministry workers:
- Christmas Devotional: How to Keep Christmas Focused on Jesus
- Christmas Devotional: A Time of Giving or Receiving?
- Are You Missing the “Why” of Christmas?