December 22, 2021Christmas is fast approaching and for the second year in a row, it will be celebrated by many people who will be anxious because of the pandemic. On the news last night, there was a story about the author of “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” When I went online this morning to look for it, I found a story about anxiety that was featured in the news programme at Noon yesterday. To see an informative interview with Kevin Da Silva Castanheira of McGill University, please visit: https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/video?binId=1.1808883. The story begins around the 30-minute mark of the broadcast. To learn who wrote the fictional tale about a reindeer, please visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolph_the_Red-Nosed_Reindeer.
In his study of Matthew, Dr. David Jeremiah writes: “Christmas illustrations and decorations depicting the ‘holy family’ – Jesus, Mary, and Joseph – inevitably show them in a serene pose, with the parents gazing lovingly at their beatific newborn. What gets lost in the celebration of Advent is the reality that Jesus, Mary, and Joseph were all profoundly outside their comfort zones.
Jesus’ comfort zone (if the Son of God can be said to have a ‘comfort zone’) was heaven, where He enjoyed the worship and adoration of the angels. He willingly gave up His heavenly glory, not to mention the independent use of His divine power and attributes, to take on human flesh. He became a helpless baby. He made Himself susceptible to pain, ridicule, betrayal, and temptation.” Dr. Jeremiah goes on to look at how Mary and Joseph faced circumstances that they never imagined would involve them.
In last week’s blog, I wrote about the first assurance that the Lord Jesus gave His disciples: the assurance that those who repent of their sins and trust Christ as their Saviour will live forever with Him in heaven. Dr. Warren Wiersbe, in his commentary on John 14 gives a second assurance: “You know the Father right now.” Dr. Wiersbe notes: “The word know is used 141 times in John’s gospel, but it does not always carry the same meaning. In fact, there are four different ‘levels’ of knowing according to John. The lowest level is simply knowing a fact. The next level is to understand the truth behind that fact. However, you can know the fact and know the truth behind it and still be lost in your sins. The third level introduces relationship; ‘to know’ means to believe in a person and become related to him or her …The fourth use of ‘know’ means ‘to have a deeper relationship with a person, a deeper communion.’”
Do you have a deep communion with the One who created you and longs to have a relationship with you? The Word of God is clear that there is only one way to know God: through faith in Jesus Christ. Don’t let Christmas pass without taking steps toward the Lord God. You won’t regret it.
Scripture for the weekend: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)
Thought for the weekend: “Sometimes, God will take you beyond your comfort zone for a specific purpose. Other times, He will leave the decision to you. So, if you’re given an opportunity to step beyond your comfort zone, take it. Volunteer. Teach. Share. Sacrifice. Inquire. Dare.” – Dr. David Jeremiah (from his book “Matthew: The Arrival of the King,” published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, TN)