Everday Moments

I piled groceries in my car and carefully exited my parking spot. Suddenly a man darted across the pavement just in front of me, not noticing my approach. I slammed on my brakes, just missing him. Startled, he looked up and meet my gaze. In that moment, I knew I had a choice: respond with rolled-eye frustration or offer a smiling forgiveness. I smiled.
      Relief flickered across his face, raising the edges of his own lips in gratefulness.
     Proverbs 15:13 says, " A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit." Is the writer directing us to cheery grins in the face of every interruption, disappointment, and inconvenience life brings? Surely not! There are times for genuine mourning, despair, and even anger at Injustice. But in our everyday moments, a smile can offer relief, hope, and the grace needed to continue.
      Perhaps the point of the proverb is that a smile naturally results from the condition of our inner beings. A " happy heart" is at peace, content, and yielded to God's best. With such a heart, happy from the inside out, we can respond to surprising circumstances with a genuine smile, inviting others to embrace the hope and peace they too can experience with God.
      Dear Father, today as I cross paths with others around me, make my heart happy that I may share with them the hope only You can offer.
      Encourage one another and build each other up. ( 1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Thanks Journal

When I was a new believer in Jesus, a spiritual mentor encouraged me to keep a thanks Journal. It was a little booklet I carried with me everywhere I went. Sometimes I would record a Thanksgiving right away. Other times, I would pen it at the end of the week during a time of reflection.
     Taking a note of praise items is.  a good habit-one I'm considering re-establishing in my life. It would help me to be grateful for His provision and care.
     In the shortest of all the Psalms, Psalm 117, the writer encourages every one to praise the Lord because " great is his love toward us."
      Think about it: How has the Lord shown His love toward you today, this week, this month, and this year? Don't just look for the spectacular. His love is seen in the ordinary, everyday circumstances of Life. Then consider how He has shown His love toward your family, your church, and to others. Let your mind soak up the extent of His love for all of us.
     The psalmist added that " the faithfulness of the Lord endured forever." In other words, He will continue to love us! So we will continue to have many things to praise God for in the coming days. As His dearly loved children, may praising and thanking God characterize our lives!
      Father, if we were to record all of Your blessings, we could not complete the task in a lifetime. But we can pause this moment to say a simple " Thank You" for Your faithfulness and goodness.
      Remember to thank God for the ordinary as well as the extraordinary.

What on Earth?

WHen Andrew Cheatle lost his cell phone at the beach, he thought it was gone forever. About a week later, however, fisherman Glen Kerley called him. He had pulled Cheatle's phone, still functional after it dried, out of a 25-pound cod.
     Life is full of odd stories, and we find more than a few of them in the Bible. One day tax collectors came to Peter demanding to know, " Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?" ( Matthew 17:24). Jesus turned the situation into a teaching moment. He wanted Peter to understand His role as King. Taxes aren't collected from the children of the King, and the Lord made it clear that neither He nor His children owed any temple tax.
     Yet Jesus wanted to be careful not to " cause offense", so He told Peter to go fishing. ( This is the odd part of the story.) Peter found a coin in the mouth of the first fish he caught.
      What on Earth is Jesus doing here? A better question is, " What in God's kingdom is Jesus doing? He is the rightfully King-even when many do not recognize Him as such. When we accept His role as Lord in our lives, we become His children.
      Life Will still throw it's various demands at us, but Jesus will provide for us. As former pastor David Pompo put it, " When we're fishing for our Father, we can depend on Him for all we need."
      Lord, teach us to basketball in the wonderful realization that You provide everything we need.
      We are children of the King!

Traditions and Christmas

As you savor a candy cane this Christmas, say " danke schon" to the Germans, for that confectionery treat was first created in Cologne. As you admire your poinsettia, say " gracias" to Mexico, where the plant originated. Say " mercies beaucoup" to the French for the term Noel, and give a " cheers" to the English for your mistletoe.
      But as we enjoy our traditions and festivities of the Christmas season-customs that have been cthe world-let's save our most sincere and heartfelt " thank you" for our good, merciful, and loving God. From Him came the reason for our Christmas celebration: the baby born in that Judean manager more than 2,000 years ago. An angel announced the arrival of this gift to mankind by saying " I bring you good news that will cause great joy...a Savior has been born to you."
     This Christmas, even in the light of the sparkling Christmas tree and surrounded by newly opened presents, the true excitement comes when we turn our attention to the baby named Jesus, who came to " save his people from their sins." His birth transcends tradition: It is our Central focus as we send praises to God for this indescribable Christmas gift.
     Lord, we thank YOu for coming to join us on that first Christmas. During a time of the year filled with many traditions help us to keep You first.
     May the Good of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him.

A Thrill of Hope

Reginald Fessenden had been working for years to achieve wireless radio communication. Other scientists found his ideas radical and unorthodox, and doubted he would succeed. But he claims that on December 24, 1906, he became the first person to ever play music over the radio.
      Fessenden held a contract with a fruit company which had installed wireless systems on roughly a dozen boats to communicate about the harvesting and marketing of bananas. That Christmas Eve, Fessenden said that he told the wireless operators on board all ships to pay attention. At 9 o'clock they heard his voice.
      He reportedly played a record of an operatic Aria, and then he pulled out his violin, playing " Of Holy Night" and singing the words to the last verse as he played. Finally, he offered Christmas greetings and read from Luke 2 the story of Angels announcing the birth of a Savior to Shepherd's in Bethlehem.
     Both the Shepherd's in Bethlehem over two thousand years ago and the sailors on board the United Fruit Company ships in 1906 heard an unexpected, surprising message of hope on a dark night. And God still speaks that same message of hope to us today. A Savior has been born for us-Christ the Lord!. We can join the choir of Angels and believers through the ages who respond with " Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."
     God, we give You glory and thank You for sending Your Son Jesus Christ to be our Savior!
      Without Christ there is no hope.

God with Us

" Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ at my right, Christ at my left..." These hymn lyrics, written by the fifth-century Celtic Christian St. Patrick, echo in my mind when I read Matthew's account of Jesus's birth. They feel like a warm embrace, reminding me that I'm never alone.
     Matthew's account tells us that God dwell with His people is at the heart of Christmas. Quoting Isaiah's prophecy of a child who would be called Immanuel, meaning " God with us." Matthew points to the ultimate fulfillment of that prophecy-Jesus, the One born by the power of the Holy Spirit to be God with us. This truth is so Central that Matthew begins and ends his gospel with it, concluding with Jesus's we to His disciples: " And surely I am with you always, to the very end of age."
     St. Patrick's lyrics remind me that Christ is with believers always through His Spirit living within. When I'm nervous of afraid, I can hold fast to HIs promises that He will never leave me. What I can't fall asleep, I can ask Him to give me His peace. When I'm celebrating and filled with joy, I can thank Him for His gracious work in my life.
     Jesus, Immanuel-God with us.
     Father God, thank You for sending Your Soon to be God with us. May we experience Your presence this day.
     God's love be incarnation at Bethlehem.

Silent Night of the Soul

Long before Joseph Mohr and Franz Gruber created the familiar Carol " Silent Night," Angelius Silesius had written:
Love! in the silent night a child to God is born, And all is brought again that are was lost or lorn. Could but they soul, Of man, became a silent night God would be born in the and set all things aright.
     Silesius, a Polish monk, published the poem in 1657 in The Cherubic Pilgrim. During our Church's annual Christmas Eve service, the choir sang beautiful rendition of the song titled " Could but They Soul Become a Silent Night."
     The twofold mystery of Christmas is that God became one of us so that we might become one with Him. Jesus suffered everything that was wrong so that we could be made right. That's why the apostle Paul could write, " If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone; the new is here! All this is from God who reconciled us to himself through Christ."
     Whether our Christmas is filled with family and friends or empty of all we long for, we know that Jesus came to be born in us.
      Ah, would they heart but be a manger for the birth, God would once more become a child on earth.
      Lord Jesus, thank You for being born into this dark world so that we might be born again into Your life and light.
      God became one of us so that we might become one with Him.

Breaking the Silence

At the end of the Old Testament, God seems to be in hiding. For four centuries, the Jews wait and wonder. Good seems passive, unconcerned, and deaf to their prayers. Only one hope remains: the ancient promise of a Messiah. On that promise the Jews stake everything. And then something momentous happens. The birth of a baby is announced.
       You can catch the excitement just by reading the reactions of people in Luke. Events surrounding Jesus's birth resemble a joy-filled musical. Characters crowd into the scene: a white-haired great uncle, an astonished virgin, the old prophetess Anna. Mary herself let's loose with a beautiful hymn. Even Jesus's unborn cousin kicks for joy inside his mother's womb.
      Luke takes care to make direct connections to Old Testament promises of a Messiah. The angel Gabriel even calls John the Baptist an " Elijah" sent to prepare the way for the Lord. CLearly, something is brewing on planet Earth. Among the dreary, defeated villagers in a remote corner of the Room and Empire, something good is breaking out.
      You have come to us, and we rejoice! Jesus, You are the gift of redemption and hope for us. Thank You.
      Once in our world, a stable had something in it that was bigger than our whole world.

Extreme Measures

A few years ago, a friend of mine lost track of her young son while walking through a swarm of people at Union Station in Chicago. Needless to say, it was a terrifying experience. Frantically, she yelled his name and ran back up the escalator, retracing her steps in an effort to find her little boy. The minutes of separation seemed like hours, until suddenly--thankfully her son emerged from the crowd and ran to the safety of her arms.
      Thinking of my friend who would have done anything to find her child fills me with a renewed sense of gratitude for the amazing work God did to save us. From the time God's first image-bearers-Adam and Eve wandered off in sin, He lamented the loss of fellowship with His people. He went to great lengths to restore the relationship by sending His one and only Son " to seek and to save the lost". Without the birth of Jesus, and without His willingness to die to pay the price for our sin and to bring us to God we would have nothing to celebrate at Christmastime.
      So this Christmas, let's be thankful that God took extreme measures by sending Jesus to reclaim our fellowship with Him. Although we once we're lost, because of Jesus we have been found!
      Heavenly Father, in the midst of all the joy of Christmas, remind me that the true meaning of this season lies in the depth of Your love. Thank You for sending Jesus to reclaim undeserving people like me!
Christmas is about Good taking extreme measures to reclaim those who were lost.

Everlasting Hope

The week before Christmas, two months after my mom died, holiday shopping and decorating sat at the bottom of my priority list. I resisted my husband's attempts to comfort me as I grieved the loss of our family's faith filled matriarch. I sulked as our son Xavier, stretched and stapled strands of Christmas lights onto the inside walls of our home. Without a word, he plugged in the cord before he and his dad left for work.
      As the colorful bulbs blinked, God gently Drew me out of my darkness. No matter how painful the circumstances, my hope remained secure in the light of God's truth, which always reveals His unchanging character.
      Psalm 146 affirms what God reminded me on that difficult morning: My endless " hope is in the Lord," my helper, my mighty and merciful God. As Creator of all, He " remains faithful forever." He " upholds the cause of the oppressed," protecting us and providing for us. " The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down." He " watches over" us, " sustains" us and will always be King.
      Sometimes, when Christmas rolls around, our days will overflow with joyful moments. Sometimes, we'll face loss, experience hurt, or feel alone. But at all times, God promises to be our light in the darkness, offering us tangible help and everlasting Hope.
      Father God, thanks for inviting us to know and rely on Your unchanging character as the source of our eternal hope.
       God secures our hope in His unchanging character.

Gentleness

The troubles of Life can make us cranky and out of sorts, but we still should never excuse these bouts of bad behavior, for they can either the hearts of those weeks love and duty to others until we have learned to be pleasant.
       The New Testament has a word for the virtue that corrects our unpleasantness-gentleness, a term that suggests a kind and ND gracious soul. Ephesians 4:2 reminds us, " Be completely humble and gentle."
       Gentleness is a willingness to accept limitations and ailments without taking out our aggravation on others. It shows gratitude for the smallest service rendered and tolerance for those who do not serve us well. It puts up with bothersome people--including noisy, boisterous little people; for kindness to children is a crowning Mark of a good and gentle person. It speaks softly in the face of provocation. It can be silent; for calm, unruffled silence is often the most eloquent response to unkind words.
        Jesus is " gentle and humble in heart." If we ask Him, He will, in time, recreate us in His image. Scottish author George MacDonald says, " God would not hear from us a tone to jar the heart of another, a word to make it ache....From such, as from all other sins, Jesus was born to deliver us."
        Dear Lord, I want to be a gentle person. Please help me to be kind and gracious to others today.
         Humility toward God will make us gentle toward others.

Big World, Bigger God

As we drove through northern Michigan, Marlene exclaimed, " It's unbelievable how big the world is!" She made her comment as we passed a sign marking the 45th parallel-the point halfway between the equator and the North Pole. We talked about how small we are and how vast our world is. Yet, compared to the size of the universe, our tiny planet is only a speck of dust.
     If our world is great, and the universe is vastly greater, how big is the One who powerfully created it? The Bible tells us, " For by Jesus all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things have been created through Him and for Him"
      This is good news because the same Jesus who created the universe is the One who has come to rescue us from our sin for everyday and forever. The night before He died, Jesus said, " These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."
     When facing the large and small challenges of Life, we call on the one who made the universe, died and rose again, and won victory over this world's brokenness. In our times of struggle, He powerfully offers us His peace.
      Lord, I'm grateful that You are greater than my mind could ever comprehend. Help me to trust You today.
     God's grace is immeasurable, His Mercy inexhaustible, His peace inexpressible.

With God's Help

As I've grown older, I've noticed more joint pain, especially when cold weather hits. Some days, I feel less like a conqueror and more like someone conquered by the challenges of becoming a senior citizen.
      That's why my hero is an older man named Caleb-the former spy sent by Moses to scout out Canaan, the Promised Land. After the other spies gave an unfavorable report, Caleb and Joshua were the only spies out of the twelve whom God favored to enter Canaan. Now, in Joshua 14, the time for Caleb to receive his portion of land had come. But there were enemies still to drive out. Not content to retire and leave the battle to the younger generation, Caleb declared, " You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said."
     " The Lord helping me. " That's the kind of mindset that kept Caleb battle-ready. He focused on God's power, not his own, nor on his advanced age. God would help him do whatever needed to be done.
      Most of us don't think of taking on anything monumental when we reach certain age. But we can still do great things for God, no matter how old we are. When Caleb-sized opportunities come our way, we don't have to shy away from them. With the Lord helping us, we can conquer!
     Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me the strength to get through each day. Help me to do Your will. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

It Isn't Me

As one of the most celebrated orchestral conductors of the twentieth century, Arturo Toscanini is remembered for his desire to give credit to whom credit is due. In David Owen's Dictators of the Baton, the author describes how members of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra rose to there feet and cheered Toscanini at the end of a rehearsal of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. When there was a lull in the ovation, and with tears in his eyes, Arturo's broken voice could be heard exclaiming as he spoke: " It isn't me...it's Beethoven's!... Toscanini is nothing."
     In the apostle Paul's New Testament letters, he also refused to take credit for his spiritual insight and influence. He knew he was like a spiritual Father and mother to many who had put their faith in Christ. He admitted he had worked hard and suffered much to encourage the faith, hope, and love so many. But he could not, in Good conscience, accept the applause of those who were inspired by his faith, love, and insight.
      So for his readers' sake, and for ours, Paul said, in effect, " It isn't me, brothers and sisters. It's Christ... Paul is nothing." We are only Messengers of the One who deserves our cheers.
      Father in heaven, without You we would have nothing. Without Your grace we would be hopeless. Without the Spirit of Your Soon we would be helpless. Please show us how to give You the honor You deserve.
Wise is the person who would rather give honor than receive it.

     

The Cure for Anxiety

We were excited about moving for my husband's job. But the unknowns and challenges left me feeling anxious. Thoughts of sorting and packing up belongings. Looking for a place to live. My finding a new job too. Making my way around a new city, and getting settled. It was all....unsettling. As I thought about my " to-do" list, words written by the apostle Paul echoed in my mind: " Don't worry, but pray.
     If anyone could have been anxious about unknowns and challenges, it would have been Paul. He was shipwrecked. He was beaten. He was mailed. I his letter to the Philippians church, he encouraged his friends who also were facing unknowns, telling them, " Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with Thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
     Paul's words encourage me. Life is not without uncertainties-whether they come in the form of a major life transition, family issues, health scares, or financial trouble. What I continue to learn is that God cares. He invites us to let go of our fears of the unknown by giving them to Him. When we do, He, who knows all things, promises that His peace, " which transcends all understanding, will guard" our heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
      Dear God, what a blessing to know we do not have to be anxious about anything! Remind us that we can come to You and tell You about everything. Thank You for who You are and what You are doing in our lives.
God's care for me eases my mind.

It's All a Gift!

London's Cafe Rendezvous has nice lighting, comfortable couches, and the smell of coffee in the air. What it doesn't have are prices. Originally started as a business by a local church, the cafe was transformed a year after it started. Thanks managers felt that God was calling them to do something radical-make everything on the menu free. Today you can order a coffee, cake, or sandwich without cost. There isn't even a donation jar. It's all a gift.
      I asked the manager why they were so generous. " We're just trying to treat people the way God treats us," he said. "God gives to us whether we thank him or not. He's generous to us beyond our imaginations."
      Jesus died to rescue us from our sins and reconcile us with God. He rose from the grave and is alive now. Because of this, every wrong thing we've done can be forgiven, and we can have a new life today. And one of the most amazing things about this is that it is all free. We can't buy the new life Jesus offers. We can't even donate toward the cost. It's all free.
      As the folks at Cafe Rendezvous serve their cakes and coffees, they give people a glimpse of God's generousity. You and I are offered eternal life for free because Jesus paid the bill.
     Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water off life. Eternal life is a free gift ready to be received.
     

Restored Failures

A guest band was leading praise and worship at our church, and their passion for the Lord was moving. We could see-and feel-their enthusiasm.
     Then the musicians revealed that they were all exprisoners. Suddenly their songs took on special meaning, and I saw why their words of praise meant so much to them. Their worship was a testimony of lives broken and restored.
        The world may embrace success. But stories of past failure offer people hope too. They assured us that God loves us no matter how many times we have failed. Pastor Gary Inrig says that what we call the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11 could well be entitled God's Hall of Reclaimed Failures. " There is scarcely an individual in that chapter without a serious blemish in his or her life," he observes. " But God is in the business of restoring failures....That is great principle of God's grace."
      I love the comfort of Psalm 145, which speaks of God's " wonderful works" and glorious kingdom. It describes His compassion and faithfulness-then immediately tells us that He lifts up those who have fallen. All His attributes are expressed when He picks us up. He is indeed in the business of restoration.
      Have you failed before? We all have. Have you been restored? All who have been redeemed are stories of God's grace.
     Our stories of failure can be God's stories of success.

Unexpected Grace

It was an early Saturday morning in my sophomore year of high school, and I was eager to get to my job at the local bowling lanes. The evening before, I had stayed late to mop the muddy tile floors because the janitor called in sick. I hadn't bothered to tell them boss about the janitor so I could surprise him. After all, What could go wrong? I thought.
     Plenty, as it turns out. Stepping in the door, I saw inches of standing water, with bowling pins, rolls of toilet paper, and boxes of paper scoresheets bobbing on top. Then I realized what I had done: We doing the floors, I have left a large faucet running overnight! Incredibly, my boss greeted me with a huge and big smile--" for trying," he said.
      Saul was actively punishing and harassing Christians we he came face to face with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Jesus confronted the soon-to-be-called apostle Paul with his sinful actions. Blinded by the experience, Saul/Paul would need a Christian-Ananias-to restore his sight to him in an act of courage and grace.
      Both Saul and I received unexpected Grace. Most people knew they're messed up. Instead of lectures, they need a hope for redemption. Stern faces or sharp words can block their view of that hope. Like Ananias, or even my boss followers of Jesus must become the face of grace in these life changing encounters with others.
     A Christian's grace-filled actions can smooth someone's path to the Savior's presence.

First Things First

When you travel by air, before the flight takes off an airplane employee presents a safety briefing, which explains what to do if there is a loss of cabin pressure. Passengers are told that oxygen masks will drop from the compartment above and they are to put one on themselves before helping others. Why? Because before you can help anyone else, you need to be physically alert yourself.
     When Paul wrote to Timothy, he stressed the importance of maintaining his own spiritual health benefits helping and serving others. He reminded Timothy of his many responsibilities as a patient=story: There were false teachings to contend with and strong doctrines to correct. But to discharge his duties well, what was the most important was to " watch his life and doctrine closely and persevere in them." He needed to take care of his own relationship with the Lord first before he could attend to others.
     What Paul told Timothy applies to us too. Each day we encounter people who do not know the Lord. When we talk up on our spiritual oxygen first through time in God's Word, prayer, and enabling of the Holy Spirit, we keep our relationship right with God. THen we will be spiritually alert to help others.
     Lord, open Your Word to me now. Let me breathe in it's freshness before I go out to be Your light to the world.
      A Christian's life is the window through which others can see Jesus.

Trusting God Even If

Due to an injury that occurred in 1992, I suffer from chronic pain in my upper back, shoulders, and neck. During the most excruciating and disheartening moments, it's not always easy to trust or praise the Lord. But when my situation feels unbearable, God's constant presence comforts me. He strengthens me and reassures me of His unchanging goodness, limitless power, and sustaining grace. And when I'm tempted to doubt my Lord, I'm encouraged by determined faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They worshiped Good and trusted He was with them, even when their situation seemed hopeless.
      When King Nebuchadnezzar threatened to throw them into a blazing furnace if they didn't turn away from the true God to worship his golden statue, these three men displayed courageous and confident faith. They never doubted the Lord was worthy of their worship, " even if" He didn't rescue them from their current predicament. And God didn't leave them alone in their time of need; He joined and protected them in the furnace.
      Good doesn't leave us alone either. He remains with us through trials that can feel as destructive as Nebuchadnezzar's furnace. Even if our suffering doesn't end on this side of eternity, God is and always will be mighty, trustworthy, and good. We can rely on His constant and loving presence.
     Lord, thank You for being with us, no matter what we're going through.
     Faith relies on our Almighty God's unchanging character, not on our circumstances.

Jesus Loves Maysel

When my sister Maysel was little, she would sing a familiar song in her own way: " Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells Maysel." This irritated me to no end! As one of her older, " wiser" sisters, I knew the words were " me so," not Maysel." Yet she persisted in singing it her way.
      Now I think my sister had it right all along. The Bible does indeed tell Maysel, and all of us, that Jesus loves us. Over and over again we read that truth. Take, for example, the writings of the apostle John, " the disciples whom Jesus loved." He tells us about God's love in one of the best-known verses of the Bible: John 3:16, " 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 reinforces that message of love in 1 John 4:10: " This is love: not that we indeed loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." Just as John knew Jesus loved him, we too can have that same assurance: Jesus does love us. The Bible tells us so.
     Dear Lord, thank You for the assurance that You love us. We are filled with gratitude that You love us so much that You died for us.
     Jesus loves me! This I know.
     

Christmas at MacPherson

About 230 families and individuals live at MacPherson Gardens, Block 72 in my neighborhood. Each person has his or her own life story. On the tenth floor resides an elderly woman whose children have grown up, gotten married, and moved out. She lives by herself now. Just a few doors away from her young couple with two kids-a boy and a girl. And a few floors below lives a young man serving in the army. He has been to church before; maybe he will visit again on Christmas Day. I met these people last Christmas when our church where caroling in the neighborhood to spread Christmas cheer.
       Every Christmas-as on the first Christmas-as are many people who do not know that God has entered into our world as a baby whose name is Jesus. On they do not know the significance of that event- it is " good news that will cause great joy for all the people." Yes, all the people! Regardless of our nationality, culture, gender, or financial status, Jesus came to die for us and offer us completely forgiveness so that we can be reconciled with Him and enjoy His love, joy, peace, and hope. All people, from the woman next door to the colleagues we have lunch with, need to hear this wonderful news!
       On the first Christmas, the Angels were the bearers of this joyous news. Today, God desires to work through us to take the story to others.
      Lord, use me to touch the lives of others with the news of Your coming.
     The good news of Jesus's birth is a source of joy for all people.