“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭NIV

Most of us are still coming off the high of Christmas. We have enjoyed time with family and friends. We have eaten delicious food. We have relaxed. Today many of us are going back to work. As we move farther and farther away from Christmas Day, let’s not lose focus on what the day truly means to us as Christians.

As I sat in church on Christmas Eve, I was drawn to the cross in the first picture that is on our Chrismon tree. After church, I took a picture of the advent wreath and I was amazed at how many representations of Christ were in this one picture. The Christ candle on the advent wreath symbolizes the birth of Christ. The cross represents His death but also our birth to eternal life. How do we earn eternal life? We don’t! On our own, we would never qualify. However, we only need to believe in the Son, Jesus Christ. Believing in the One who was born on Christmas Day and then died on the cross for our sins is all that is required for us to have eternal life. What a wonderful and priceless gift that came wrapped in swaddling clothes!

On this Testify Tuesday I encourage you to pray for God to place in your path a person who you can give this most precious gift. Ask God to open your eyes and give you the courage to testify of the love of God. John 3:16 is a testimony all spelled out in a verse. Use it as a starting point and way to testify to the love of God.

On Christmas Day, our friend and partner in ministry, Ray White, shared a blog post about shining for Christ. If you weren’t able to read it I encourage you to Click here and read the practical ways Ray shares that we can shine for Him. Shining for Christ is being a living testimony. Let’s all find ways to testify today.

“And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭46‬-‭47‬ ‭ESV‬‬

According to biblehub.com, the biblical definition of magnify is; to make great, extol, celebrate in praise. Yesterday we celebrated Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ. During our worship service our pastor reminded us that as Christians, we should celebrate Christmas all year. This reminded me of when my daughter, Briley, was only 3 or 4. We were listening to the Christian radio station and she was happily singing along, as usual. It was nearly Christmas season and I suggested we look for a station that was already playing Christmas music. She matter of factly told me the song on the radio was a Christmas song. I disagreed with her and she said, “Mama, all Christian songs are Christmas songs because they are about Jesus.” Wow! Out of the mouths of babes! What an awesome point!

This Magnify Monday I encourage each of us to take note of the humility of Mary and the boldness of Briley. Let’s each find ways to magnify our Lord and Savior in our words and actions. Let’s not let the day after Christmas be a letdown, but instead the beginning of a year-round celebration of the birth of Christ. After all, the birth of Christ was the birth of eternal life for you and me! Without Christmas, we would have no Good Friday or Easter. What can you do today to magnify Jesus and celebrate Him in praise?

Blog written by Ray White

“After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.  When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.  On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:9-11 NIV

Astronomers estimate our universe contains at least 70 septillion stars, that’s 7 followed by 23 zeros. That’s roughly 10,000 stars for each grain of sand on Earth. I can’t comprehend a number that large. Yet, it was ONE star that led the Maji to Bethlehem on their journey to find Jesus, the messiah.

Today as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, let’s remember that as followers of Christ we have the responsibility to help others. 

We cross paths with thousands of people each year, some we work closely with, some just passing in stores or on the street. We seldom know what challenges are taking place in the lives of others. 

I can tell you specific times in my life when the actions, words, or just the simple act of being there from someone has been a gift from God. Single acts of kindness that to this day stand out. It isn’t always about sharing your testimony. It can be retrieving an item from the top shelf at a supermarket for someone, helping a person pick up dropped items, visiting someone sick, kind words, smiles and sincere words of encouragement. Listening. Caring. Loving others, as Jesus directed: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34

Let’s be Children of God who love and help others daily, not just during this special Christmas Season. Allow God to use us to share His glory, to shine for Him.

“I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” John 12‬:‭46‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Happy Christmas Eve! Tonight I had the joy of attending our Candlelight service at Herbert Memorial UMC. Each Sunday we light an advent candle symbolizing: hope, peace, joy, and love. Tonight we lit the Christ candle because Jesus is the light of the world.

CLICK HERE for See You Saturday.

““I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.” Luke 1‬:‭38‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Mary, the mother of Jesus shows us what true servanthood looks like. An unlikely person, selflessly, willing, and humbly devoted. She accepts the Lord’s assignment by desiring His word to be fulfilled. As a verb fulfilled means to carry out or bring to realization as a prophecy or promise. According to Merriam Webster fulfilled is happiness and satisfaction.

Do you feel fulfilled this Christmas? Today is the 357th day of the year. Have you selflessly and willingly accepted the Lord’s assignment for your life? Have you been devoted to seeking, following, and serving Him? As we await Jesus’s birthday, let’s spend this last week immersed in His presence. Let’s try not to get distracted by the worldly view of Christmas. I love this particular image of the nativity with Mary kneeling next to Jesus with her hands folded in prayer. Let’s join her in prayer.

Lord, thank you for your faithful promises. Thank you for choosing me as your child and your disciple. I desire to be immersed in your presence so that I can feel fulfilled with the happiness and satisfaction that only you can offer. Help me not to get distracted by worldly views, but rather find joy in your presence and love with those around me. In the name of Jesus Amen

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah‬ ‭9‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

““The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).” Matthew‬ ‭1‬:‭23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Is there someone missing from your Christmas table this year? Maybe the loss of a loved one or a family member serving in the military, or a prodigal child. Thankfully we have a precious gift that is lasting with us all year. He is called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace, Immanuel-God with us. Even when we see life in black and white, God is mightier than our darkest days.

This photo is of me, my mom, and my sister at S.N.O.B restaurant in Charleston, SC. This is somewhere we have been with our Dad. This year we made a new memory. Although Dad didn’t have a place setting with us, we have the peace of God knowing that he is with our Immanuel who is with us always. On this Thankful Thursday, let’s live for today and be thankful for the one who holds our tomorrows.

If you are missing someone today, the Christmas song for you is Wonderful by Cain.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I encourage you to listen and watch this video; What God Wants For Christmas? By Darius Tucker. The answers include peace on earth, no more empty seats in church, every Bible with no dust, the devil giving up, and more loving one another. He also asks the question, what if we believe in Him like He believes in us? If you read our key verse from Hebrews, you will see that in order to please God, we must believe. He even rewards those that earnestly seek Him.

This picture below is a prayer coloring page from a sweet Christian friend I have never met. We were untied together through a devotion I wrote for the Upper Room. She has been there for me through my Dad’s cancer journey and now my HPV journey. She went to God in prayer believing that I would be healed. She prayed for peace, health, and strength. Thank God it was His will for me to be healed.

I leave you with Mark 11:24 NIV to meditate on. Give God his Christmas wish. Go to Him in prayer, believing that nothing is to big for Him. “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark‬ ‭11‬:‭24‬ ‭NIV‬‬