Sunday Before Christmas

SUNDAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Today is the last Sunday of Advent. Yesterday we thought about Mary's'
willing to relinquish everything so that God's plan for her could take center stage. We all know the details of that plan. Mary, a virgin, would supernaturally conceive and give birth to the Son of God.
Emmanuel-God with us-is about to come into the world!

In this concluding day of Advent, let's think about Emmanuel.
Everything about His life speaks, like Mary's, of relinquishment. Do you remember the Apostle Paul's words about Jesus' entry into our world?
Look at Philippians 2:5-8. He tells us that Jesus "made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bond-servant and coming in the likeness of men." He relinquished all He had been in heaven and became like us.
He lived His life in the flesh without the preeminence He had in heaven.

The story doesn't stop there, however. At the end of His life, just before He went to the cross, Jesus relinquished even more.
His prayer in the garden ends with Him saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours be done." (Luke 22:42) The entire story of Jesus' entrance into our world revolves around relinquishment!

Jesus calls us to the same thing. He calls us to give up our paltry plans for His eternal plans. He invites us to give up our dead end journeys to walk with Him. We receive the invitation to relinquish our way for His way. He models relinquishment for us, as did His mother. Without both of them choosing relinquishment instead of holding onto their own desires, we would not know freedom from sin. We would not possess the gift of eternal life.

I ask you again--what might the Lord Jesus want you and I to relinquish to more fully pursue our walk with Him? Christmas is just two days away. Listen for God's Spirit during these days. If He leads us to relinquish something of lesser value to pursue that which has ultimate value, let's do it! Let's give Jesus the gift of relinquished agendas and desires. We don't have a better gift to give Him than more of ourselves.

Let's enjoy a blessed Christmas marked by less of us and more of Him! (Pastor John Strain - First Baptist of Toms River)

Great Quote: Forgiveness is the key which unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hatred. It breaks the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness. Corrie Ten Boom