21 Dec, 2007

What will be your focus this Christmas? Santa or God "with us"?

If you have time and need a little fun, go and sing along at http://www.the-north-pole.com/carols/herecomes.html

picture courtesy images.google.com & song courtesy of site above

Here comes Santa Claus and Jesus!

Will there be any mixed messages in your life this Christmas?

Isaiah 7:14

14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

John 1:14

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (ESV)

According to today's God's Story scripture, what is the sign that God's message of love for us is all true?

When the prophecy of Christ's birth came true, it means that God became one of us by coming to earth. "Immanuel" means "God with us". Jesus was not part human and part God; He was completely human and completely divine! His message was simple. We can be forgiven and have a relationship with God through Christ and Christ alone. His message can not be mixed with any other religious message or human perspective.

"Here Comes Santa Claus" is a classic example of how our culture has mixed the message of truth and fantasy:

Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus,
Riding down Santa Claus Lane.

He doesn't care if you're a rich or poor boy,
He loves you just the same.
Santa knows that we're God's children,
That makes everything right.
Fill your hearts with Christmas cheer,
'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight.

Well, here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus,
Riding down Santa Claus Lane.

He'll come around when the chimes ring out
It's Christmas morn again.
Peace on Earth will come to all
If we just follow the light
Let's give thanks to the Lord above,
'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight.

Everyone is God's creation, but only those who have received Christ's salvation are God's children. Let's be a sign of "Immanuel" to our world by living an obedient life to Christ. It will communicate the truth that He came to be "with us" and He's coming back again!

How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?

  • Thank God for being "Immanuel". Take a couple of minutes to think about the reality of His presence in your life and praise Him for it. Ask His Spirit to help you live out the truth of His first coming and His future coming.
  • Memorize John 1:14 as a reminder of what Christ's coming to earth really means.
  • During the next several days, write down "signs" of Christ's presence in your life and in the lives of others. Use this list as a way to praise Christ!

How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture and our story to others?

  • Pray every day for your life to be a "sign" of Christ's love to others around you.
  • Whenever you hear a song about Santa Claus, take a moment to pray that the real story of Christmas will be received by people around you.
  • Use the song, "Here Comes Santa Claus" as a conversation starter with those in your storysphere to share what you learned in today's DAILYBIDE.
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The Daily Bide is brought to you by a team of writers from Youth for Christ/USA. The writers all have various years of experience in youth ministry but share a common bond in serving Jesus and discovering what it means to abide deeply everyday and to connect God's Story with those around them. A number of the Daily Bide writers have also written portions of our 3Story® resources. You can check out our resources at the 3Story.org website or connect with our writers at 3story@yfc.net. If you have a question or a story you would like to share, please reference the Daily Bide date in your email.

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