Christmas and a New Life

Christmas time resembles the chance for a new start. On this day we celebrate the Lord's birth. He came down from heaven, his kingdom where he was treated in the way he should be, to offer us life. He didn't come because he had to but, because he loves us so much, he wanted to. Jesus was born of the virgin Mary to give us a second chance at life. True life. A life full with Christ. Jesus suffered the pain, ridicule, and shame of this world so HE could take OUR sins to the cross. He bore the shameful death that should have been ours. He carried our burden of sin on his shoulders though he was blameless. Jesus' birth was for that specific purpose! A perfect, beautiful baby was born into this world to face its most ugly and shameful deeds of darkness.Although every kind of evil was thrown at him, he conquered them all. Jesus even conquered death for our sake. Let's give ALL our praise to him who deserves it.

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." 

Isaiah 7:14

"The days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land.  

            Jeremiah 23:5

Faithfulness or Faithlessness

Some of the letters in the New Testament start off by exclaiming a joy because the authors had found out fellow believers were being faithful to God. For example 3 John 3-4 says, "It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell me about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."

John exclaims that he has NO greater joy than that of fellow believers walking in the truth. With this kind of joy, it seems as though he would draw encouragement as well. Although the Bible does not directly say that, seeing others he has mentored continue to grow and continue in what he has taught them, would very possibly have that outcome. If this is the case, we ought to strive to continue to be faithful as well. Not only do we receive a better relationship with God, but also we could possibly be an encouragement to someone else. At the very least, we could bring someone joy. On the other end of the spectrum, your faithlessness could have the opposite effect on a person; you could be the one to bring them sadness or discouragement. You never know when your level of  faith could have a very impacting impression on someone.