I am sitting here in front of our Christmas Tree this rainy morning. My daughters are sitting around me. We are enjoying this morning together. It is unusually warm here in Atlanta. The local news meteorologist forecasts that this Christmas will be the warmest recorded in Atlanta’s history. I share this warm scene, sheltered from a nasty rainy day with you because this is our last Christmas in the states for a long time. We will be leaving for the mission field in just a few months. We have worked very hard deputation and God has given the increase. We are still in need of a little less than 25% of our needed monthly support. We are believing God for the rest.
We have tried to make this Christmas Season special since it will be our last one in the states for several years (until a furlough). This does not invoke bitter-sweet or somber feelings, it brings about excitement! With this being our last Christmas here for a long time, I will share with you a thought I am trying to live by to make this a wonderful Christmas season. This thought was advice given to me by a Pastor (a post already published a few weeks ago).
It is all about Jesus.
It is so easy to get caught up in everything else and neglect what matters most. Jesus is the reason for Christmas, but really Jesus is the reason of every season. Our lives should be about Jesus. He is the motivation of our lives. Jesus bought us with a price, we are no longer our own. It is sad that Christmas can be a time where believers neglect Jesus and make our lives all about everything else. Presents get in the way. Our finances can make Christmas a burden rather than an enjoyment. Christmas parties with family can be fun, but can detract from Jesus. It seems that Jesus is put up against everything else this time of year and if we are not careful, everything else gets our attention. Jesus should be the focal point of Christmas! Make Christmas about Jesus in your own life and in your family. Talk about Jesus, listen to Christmas music about Jesus. Read the Christmas story in Luke 2 and in Matthew 1. Think about what Jesus’ coming to Earth means for us! Pray for the billions of people who do not understand what Christmas is about because they have never heard the Gospel of Jesus. Make this Christmas about Jesus.
Merry Christmas,
Patrick Henry
Missionary to Argentina
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