Reference: Warren, Rick (2008). The Purpose of Christmas. Howard Books, pp. 79-83.
Today, we view Christmas in the light of faith. Webster’s defines faith as “firm belief in something for which there is no proof”. Long before Webster penned his first tome, Paul defined faith as “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1). Rick Warren puts it this way:
“Just as parents deeply desire and long for their children to trust their love, God wants you to learn to trust Him. The Bible says, ‘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.’ Faith makes God smile. It’s not what you do, but whom you trust, that gets you into heaven (pp. 79-80).
Christmas calls us to child-like faith in our Lord. Jesus said, “Unless you become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3). I think of the certainty I felt as a child that Santa Claus was coming on Christmas Eve. There were no nagging doubts, no contingency plan in case he didn’t show. I KNEW he would be there as surely as I knew the sun would rise on Christmas day. It never occurred to me that it would not be so. Oh, to have such faith as we await His arrival!
As we approach the birth of the Christ Child, we pause to thank Him for the miracle of faith.
May you feel His grace today,
Gail W.
The last Word:
Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Luke 7: 50, NIV.
Friday, December 19, 2008
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2 comments:
Where would we be without precious faith.
As I consider a childlike faith and Christmas morn, I think of my young children who are willing to sacrifice one or two big ticket items for lots of inexpensive gifts beneath the tree. Their after the "haul", and with Jesus, that's exactly what we get. One gift after another...day after day...year after year, as our faith increases and moves onto a final unwrapping in heaven.
See you tomorrow, I hope I can remember.
peace~elaine
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