Christmas Cheer
“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” Buddy the elf had lived at the North Pole for most of his life. He had seen Santa and was full of Christmas spirit, and he wasn’t afraid to tell the world how wonderful Santa and Christmas were. He couldn’t contain his joy whenever the opportunity to talk about Christmas presented itself. And when he heard the news that Santa was coming to town, he couldn’t help but shout, “SAAAAAAANTA! I know him!” He spent all night preparing the store for Santa’s arrival. When was the last time you received good news? When God does a good work in our lives—answered prayer, healing, comfort, or direction—we can’t help but to be filled with joy from knowing He is loving and faithful. It is natural for us to want to share our good news with others.Christmas is the celebration of the greatest news the world would ever receive.“That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. ‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!’…When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.”Luke 2:8-11, 15-17The shepherds, overcome by what they had seen and heard that night, were so filled with joy that they could not keep the news to themselves. They shared it with everyone they met. The joy of Christmas is something to be shared and celebrated every day. And as followers of Jesus, the best way for us to spread this cheer is singing loud for all to hear…just kidding! It is through sharing God’s story of love and redemption with others. God created us and loves us, but because we sin God sent His Son to heal us from our sins, and our faith in Him brings us the promise of eternal life with God. Jesus is God’s Christmas gift to all—freely given. As we prepare for Christmas in the coming days, let us be reminded to share the joy this season brings. May we share the good news with the same enthusiasm as Buddy the elf and live each day in celebration of the greatest gift ever given.Christmas Cheer“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” Buddy the elf had lived at the North Pole for most of his life. He had seen Santa and was full of Christmas spirit, and he wasn’t afraid to tell the world how wonderful Santa and Christmas were. He couldn’t contain his joy whenever the opportunity to talk about Christmas presented itself. And when he heard the news that Santa was coming to town, he couldn’t help but shout, “SAAAAAAANTA! I know him!” He spent all night preparing the store for Santa’s arrival. When was the last time you received good news? When God does a good work in our lives—answered prayer, healing, comfort, or direction—we can’t help but to be filled with joy from knowing He is loving and faithful. It is natural for us to want to share our good news with others.Christmas is the celebration of the greatest news the world would ever receive.“That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. ‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!’…When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.”Luke 2:8-11, 15-17The shepherds, overcome by what they had seen and heard that night, were so filled with joy that they could not keep the news to themselves. They shared it with everyone they met. The joy of Christmas is something to be shared and celebrated every day. And as followers of Jesus, the best way for us to spread this cheer is singing loud for all to hear…just kidding! It is through sharing God’s story of love and redemption with others. God created us and loves us, but because we sin God sent His Son to heal us from our sins, and our faith in Him brings us the promise of eternal life with God. Jesus is God’s Christmas gift to all—freely given. As we prepare for Christmas in the coming days, let us be reminded to share the joy this season brings. May we share the good news with the same enthusiasm as Buddy the elf and live each day in celebration of the greatest gift ever given.