Christmas is a time we celebrate with great joy the birth of our Savior.  It is because of Him that we have salvation.    In response, our families gather together as best they can to give Him thanks.   I believe God loves it when we gather together; it gives Him great pleasure to see us so happy.   God is always with us, but His presence is so much more pronounced when we share meals together, sing carols about His Son, and exchange gifts of love with one another.   But as each year passes our families change.  Our children become young adults, marry and possibly move away.   Sometimes it is difficult not to be able to have the Christmas celebration the way it used to be.   Of course we would all like to be together every year, but that is not always possible here on earth.  And then there are some family members that will be missing for the first time because they have moved on from this life on earth.    But lest we forget, in the midst of all of these changing circumstances the reason we gather together is to give God thanks for sending His Son.   One day there will be a great Christmas in heaven that will far out surpass even the best one here on earth.    And every grandmother, grandfather, mother, father, cousin, uncle, and child who made Jesus the Lord of their lives while here on earth will be there (John 11:21-28).

Teachable Moment

The following is a poem written for those who have lost loved one’s recently.   It would be a great teachable moment to read this poem during a Christmas devotion, along with passages of Scripture surrounding the birth of Christ (Luke 2:1-19).   At the end of your reading,  reflect back on those who have passed on and praise God for the incredible Christmas ahead when everyone can be together again.   .

First Christmas in Heaven

First Christmas in Heaven!

Oh what would it be?

This to begin

Fair eternity!

 Not tinsel, but glory:

Not presents, but Him.

And the old Christmas story

Unmarred by earth’s sin.

 Not bells, but angel’s song.

Not lights, but the Light:

Not joy one day long,

But eternal delight.

Not a dying fire

At the close of the day

And children who tire

Coming in from play.

But sparkling strength:

No weariness there.

A day without length.

With no strife or tear.

And so, dear Lord, as we gave upon

Our little Christmas tree.

We thank you for our dear ones gone

Who are spending Thy birthday with Thee?

By (Sybil Beck)

Word of God

Entrance into a heavenly Christmas

John 11:21-28     21 Martha then said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.  22  “Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to Him, “Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world.” 28 When she had said this, she went away and called Mary her sister, saying secretly, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.”

The birth of the Savior

Luke 2:1-19 1  Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city.  4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,  5 in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. 6 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 rd. 12 “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14  “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” 15 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. 17 When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.