Prepare 3

1 Peter 1:8-9

Modern conveniences help us remain connected with family and friends. Although we may live a hundred miles away from loved ones we can still communicate with them over phones, e-mail and instant messages. Although we can not see them we can still express our love for them. Although we are separated by time and distance still we are connected.

In his first letter Peter speaks of a similar connection in our relationship with Jesus. What can’t we do? What do we still feel? Why do we feel this?

Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus, an event that took place about 2,000 years ago. With that expanse of time between the occurrence and the remembrance it is easy for us to lose sight of what is truly going on in our holiday revelry. Because of the distance of time we do not see Jesus. We did not see him while he was on earth and we do not see him now.

Added to this is the tendency for modern society to help blur the image of Christ. So often the Christmas holiday seems to deviate more and more from honoring the gift of Jesus. It seems to become more and more about material gifts and mindless parties.

But we, as faithful believers, must prepare ourselves for the celebration of Christmas. We must take an intentional approach to the holiday, keeping the true meaning of Christmas alive in our hearts and minds.

In spite of the obstacles of time and distance between us and the birth of Jesus we still love the Lord. We still believe in who he was and is. We still believe in the purpose and meaning of his birth and life.

We must be aware of the purpose of this tremendous gift. We must remember that Jesus was born so that we might have salvation and the promise of everlasting life with our God.

As we enter into this holiday season let us enter in with watchful eyes and an eager heart, an attitude of expectation. Let us enter the holidays prepared to truly worship the Lord, the king who brings God’s peace.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you see Jesus more clearly this holiday?

Anointing 2

1 Peter 1:8-9

As a parent one of the most joyful times of my life was learning that my wife was expecting a child. Although the birth was several months away and we had no idea whether the child would be a boy or a girl we were excited about all the possibilities that the new addition in our lives would bring. We had hopes and expectations of what the child would be like and hope for the unseen future ahead.

Peter also describes a sense of joyful expectation in his first letter to believers. What does he say about the believer’s relationship with Jesus? How does he describe the believer’s joy? Why do we experience that joy?

Peter was one of those fortunate few people who had actually seen Jesus while he lived. Peter had the wonderful experience of hearing his voice, seeing his face, and knowing what type of incredible person he was.

We do not have that benefit to our faith. In fact, that is part of what our faith is based on – belief in things that we have not seen. We have not seen Jesus face to face and must rely entirely on the stories and teachings that others have recorded. We have not heard his mortal voice and must trust in the way Jesus speaks to our hearts and guides our spirits.

There are many skeptics in the world today. There are many people – educated and uneducated – who doubt that Jesus was the person that Christians claim he was. Many do not believe that Jesus was the Son of God, but at best was a wise teacher and compassionate leader.

The stories of miracles and healings are just fables and myth to these individuals. Some of the stories are make-believe to these people, or events that could be explained away with science and logic or an understanding of the ignorance of those who witnessed what went on.

If we will be true Christians, faithful children of God, then we must value Jesus – who he was and who he still is to us now. To truly appreciate the meaning of our faith, our Lenten journey, and the wondrous miracle of Easter we must believe in the Christ and value what his life, teaching and sacrifice means.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you show that you value Jesus and believe in who he was and still is?