Strength for Today- "The Day After Christmas." - John 1:14.

  In a lot of cases, Christmas decorations will come down this weekend, as you try to shake off the weariness, and get back to the business of living as usual. But today, you need to realize that, Christmas was and is all about Jesus the Savior, who has been born. His birth revealed the Old-Testament truths concerning God’s rescue plan for mankind truth. And wrapped up in that plan was that which was to come, which was and is:

·       Peace and

·       Favor,

     From God. Because, “…As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name,” - John 1:12. The Good News of Christmas didn’t end in that Bethlehem stable, but was God who revealed Himself in the flesh by way of Bethlehem, which was “our pathway to hope.” In this stable, Jesus didn’t come, arrogant, or pretentious, but humbly in a “tender state,” as a “newborn baby,” yet was entirety the promised Messiah -Luke 2:7.  Nor was His coming for the sake of religious celebrations, where there was no basis for hope.

  Under ordinary circumstances life happens between the highpoints. And most of life is lived between them.  But listen, none of these atmospheric realities are able to change the truth that:

·       On time and as

·       God has promised, (Genesis 3:15),

The Messiah has come Jesus’ miraculously, and majestically to reign, as God promised. And because of that intangible truth, we’re given hope, and light, whereas we can enjoy the:

·       Peace of God and

·       Peace with God

    Oh, but it doesn’t end there! We can walk in “His favor,” “His goodwill,” every day of our lives! He came and was not received in the inn. He was not received by high society. He was received by the “lowly shepherds.” Today as you’re clearing away all the glitter from yesterday:

·       Don’t look down, instead,

·       Lift up your eyes,

    Because the truth of Christmas is with you!  So gloriously declare by faith that this day you’re going walk in peace, because of the favor God has given you through Jesus Christ.

Author: Plez Lovelady, Jr., PhD