'Tis the season! Keeping Jesus at the center?

Evening Y'all! I pray this post encourages you and gives God glory! Got suggested topics you want me to write about? Please comment below or email me at info@mocatoday.com.

On December 25, better known as CHRISTmas, we'll be celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ— our Lord AND Savior!

Hence, Happy Birthday Jesus and Merry CHRISTmas to you!

For to us a Child shall be born, to us a Son shall be given; And the government shall be upon His shoulder, And His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ~Isaiah 9:6 (AMP)

Thank you God for so loving us that you gave your Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins and reconcile us back to God! This truth is a great reminder that love, specifically God's love (agape love), is an action verb not a feeling:

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. ~John 3:16 (NIV)

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." ~John 14:6 (NKJV)

Talk about an amazing gift! We have much to celebrate in Jesus Christ's birth, death, and resurrection!

Therefore, during this "holiday" season, let us not forget that Jesus is indeed the reason for the season... Yes, let's be sure to keep Jesus at the center of our Christmas activities.

The Christmas season is meant to celebrate not only the birth of Jesus but the gift of His life, death, and resurrection. Christ, the hope of the world, loves you and me. He’s available when we simply call on His name. He forgives our sins and assures us of a future in heaven. He comforts and brings hope. ~Kristi Woods (ibelieve.com)

In a helpful article, writer Jacqueline Holness, shares seven scriptures to help us focus on Jesus during this season:

1. The birth of Jesus Christ—

Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, "God with us." ~Matthew 1:23 (NKJV)

2. God's love—

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. ~John 3:16 (NKJV)

3. Every good gift—

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. ~James 1:17 (CSB)

4. The gift of God—

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~Romans 6:23 (NKJV)

5. Stay ready to defend—

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; ~1 Peter 3:15 (NKJV)

6. Always delight in the Lord—

Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. ~Psalm 37:4 (NKJV)

Holness explains, "Do you want the desires of your heart? Of course! Then, we must delight ourselves in the Lord and His purposes…Now, this does not mean that we send up a list of what we want and then He delivers gifts like He is some Santa Claus in the sky…No, this verse means that mysteriously when we align ourselves with the Lord, His desires for us become our desires…and then we get the desires of our heart because they are His desires for us too…"

7. Peace on earth—

Praise God in heaven, and on earth let there be peace to the people who please Him. ~Luke 2:14 (ERV)

For you, what other things keep Jesus at the center during this season? A family tradition? A movie? Certain song or activity? Favorite book? Specific scripture?

For me, keeping prayer and Bible study as essential activities are critical.

Share your thoughts in the comments below. I want to hear from you!

Remember, it's all about progression, not perfection! God loves you! With Him, you got this! Until next post, may God give you His peace and blessings!

~Natasha

Just a few reminders:

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