Column: Reflections on Christmas

Thanksgiving is over and now we are moving on to Christmas. Presents, Parties, Friends and Family - all kinds of Christmas cheer. We must remember:

A family who was poor and trying to find a place for the night.
A woman and the pain of delivering a baby in a stable.
God who trusts two people to care for His son.

We must also remember to find the wonder of the season - God coming near!

As Christmas approaches, think on this: the Bible tells of the desire of God to dwell with His people! You can't make this up: God becoming man to save His people, not from the outside, but from the inside. He has come to rescue, redeem, and restore.

As we look toward Christmas, what about Joseph? When we think of Joseph, we see him speaking with his actions and not his words. “What you do speaks so loudly that I can’t hear what you say.” (Emerson) This year, do as Joseph did, be obedient and take a risk to love Jesus even more today than ever before.

This Christmas, think of the Star at Christmas. This star will chase away the darkness in your life. Come to Jesus with hope and confidence for a new day that will never end. The north star in the sky may have been used to navigate ships, but “the bright morning star” will navigate your life. When you get up on Christmas morning, look to the “Star” that shows the Christ child lying in a manger.

Christmas Prayer

Lord, your word says you are near to me, even though I may feel or be far away because of my sin. Instead of punishing me, you came and saved me. You are here with me right now.

You are near to me and make me feel peaceful, protected and saved. Just like my mother, your mother held you in her arms. She laid you in a manger.

You came from heaven and left your throne to be laid in a lowly manger. This is so hard to comprehend. You call me to a place of humility and trust.

Christmas is more than just about a baby. It’s about the story of God coming to be close to us. Lord, I pray that His story will drive me to share it with others.

I pray this prayer in the name of our Lord, our Savior, Emmanuel, the Christ Child, the King of Kings, and the Bright Morning Star, Jesus.

Merry Christmas from William (Bill) Dieckmann