December 15
Sunday
Canceled Christmas
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Read:
Luke 2:26-38
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Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of [Jesus].--Luke 2:33
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The Bible In One Year:
Amos 1-3
Revalation 6
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We felt as if our Christmas was being canceled last year. Actually, our flight to see family in Missouri was canceled due to snow. It’s been our tradition for quite a few years to celebrate Christmas with them, so we were greatly disappointed when we got as far as Minnesota and had to return home to Michigan.
On Sunday, in a message we would have missed, our pastor spoke about expectations for Christmas. He caught my attention when he said, "if our expectations for Christmas are gifts and time with family, we have set our expectations to low. Those are enjoyable and things we’re thankful for, but Christmas is the celebration of the coming of Christ and His redemption."
Simeon and Anna celebrated the coming of Jesus and His salvation when Joseph and Mary brought Him to the temple as a baby (Luke 2:25-38). Simeon, a man who was told by the Spirit that he would not die before he saw the Messiah, declared: "My eyes have seen Your salvation" (v.30). When Anna, a widow who served God, saw Jesus, she "spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem" (v.38).
We may experience disappointment or heartaches during the Christmas season, but Jesus and his salvation always gives us a reason to celebrate. --(Anne Cetas)
How wonderful that we on Christmas morn
Though centuries have passed since Christ was born,
May we worship still the living Lord of men,
Our savoir, Jesus, Babe of Bethlehem. --(Hutchings)
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Jesus is always the reason to celebrate.
