I like being busy and I admit that the Christmas season often contributes to me being busier than any other time of the year. Everything seems to take longer to do – grocery shopping, buying presents, just driving somewhere – because everyone is out trying to get it all done at the same time as me. Then as a pastor, there is church: Christmas planning, special services, outreach events, and spending time with people. All of these things are good things and have their place, but they often distract me from what is the best thing about Christmas, the birth of our Savior, Jesus the Messiah. This Christmas season take some time every day to consider the incredible gift given to us by God. Perhaps, even though 2021 may have been a very difficult year for all of us, write down the blessings that God has given you this year. Take a few minutes and find a quiet place to read the account of Jesus’ birth and spend some time in thoughtful reflection.
God sent His Son so that we could have a relationship with Him. God is never too busy for us. He is the one with whom we can share everything in our hearts – our joys and disappointments, our victories and defeats, the big things and the smallest details of our lives. Don’t allow things and busyness to take priority over relationships. Prioritize spending time with God in prayer and in His Word. Prioritize quality time and being fully present with your family. Invest in deep and meaningful relationship with friends. Share the good news of Jesus and Christmas with those you love. We are so very grateful for your prayers and support of BNMI’s ministry to Cuba. From our entire team, may this Christmas bring you great joy, hope, and peace because of Jesus.
Luke 2:4-14
“And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!’”