In November, I started to panic about the upcoming December. I spent the first part of December being nervous and stressed about living up to all expectations and traditions. I wish to be a joyful wife and mother who produces beautiful Christmas decorations and bakes delicious cookies. But I fear, I stall, I fail. It’s the 18th of December and I’m not prepared for Christmas, not at all.
What is the meaning of the stress and materialism we lie under the Christmas tree every year? Do we believe we need to stress and strive for perfection so our families can love us? What really makes our children happy?
The reason for the season
I’m taking a break from my worries and look at a photo of a nativity. Baby Jesus, the reason for season.
What can we do to live up to Jesus’ expectations? What can we do to be loved and saved?
NOTHING
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:16-17).
The scripture says “whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
The last weeks I have been very frustrated over my sins. I got rid of one sin, but then I discovered there were at least 100.000 sins left. I must try not to sin, I thought. And every day I falled and I falled. I sinned all the time. Surely, we cannot just sin all we want and don’t care about it. But as long as we live on earth, we will never be free from sins.
God gave “his only begotten Son.” Christ died on the cross for our sins, so we would not be condemned.
There is nothing we can do. Read Romans 3:22-26 in addition to John 3:16
There are no right or wrong ways to write, worship, sing, pray or celebrate Christmas. God does not look on appearance; he does not look on the things outside, but on the things inside. He looks at our hearts. The question is do we have love? Be careful, I’m not talking about deeds or actions here. But do we love God, ourselves and our neighbor?
What does the scripture say about God’s love? “For God so loved the world”.
God loves you. It doesn’t say God loves you because…We can’t do anything to increase or decrease his love. God hates sin, but He never hates the sinner. God loved you even before you were born. He loves you because he says so. God’s love is everlasting (Romans 8:35-39)
Back to whosoever believeth….Be careful! I’m not talking about actions. Generally, there is nothing we can do to have faith. It doesn’t really matter how small or big the faith is.The scripture does not say, who believes a lot…No, it says whosoever believeth.
I think God mourns when we have doubts. When Jesus walked on the sea, Peter was scared. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? and questions him. (Matthew 14:31)
But we can’t give ourselves credits for our faith. Faith is a gift and the Holy Spirit nourishes it.
Faith is like a mustard seed:
“Then He said, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.” (Mark 4:30-32)
The mustard seed is smaller than all the seeds on the earth. The mustard seed grows to a big plant, and it spreads. Faith spreads in the believer’s life, it grows in our hearts. The faith in Jesus, and the light of the gospel shines through our hearts and other people will see this light (2 Cor 4:4-7). You are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14).
This is a message, which is bigger than any mother’s worry about Christmas preparations. It is a hope in which we can rest and remember when we celebrate Christmas with our loved ones.
Oh, how easily we get caught up and distracted with things. This is a good reminder of His great grace.
Thank you Chris. I’m glad the post spoke to you. Merry Christmas to you and your family