What Can I Bring?

It’s been my joy to pray for many people who’ve had incredibly broken lives. I’ve often said to myself, “There, but for the grace of God, go I.” One of the things which has most deeply impacted me over the years is the way I’ve witnessed the Lord at work in the midst of the brokenness.

One such story was from a lady who had suffered cruel abuse. She told me that, as a child, at school she heard the Christmas carol being sung: ‘What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part; Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart’.

She vividly remembered this moment and the comfort it brought her. The Lord Jesus heard her cry and never forgot her. Throughout all the years of suffering, He safely brought her to the time when He would heal and restore her broken heart. She’s been gloriously set free!

When we celebrate Christmas, we don’t celebrate a date, nor do we celebrate a myth, or celebrate false glitter and gold. But we DO celebrate Jesus, who came, is alive, and brings authentic love and healing into our lives.

I’m deeply saddened that some Christians have made decisions to no longer celebrate Christmas, the coming of Jesus, the incarnation, this breath-taking, life-changing moment that happened in world history, regardless of the actual date on which we celebrate it. Without His coming, there is no hope! The very words the coming of Jesus, the incarnation, make my spirit leap and dance!

Oh how Satan hates us celebrating Jesus! Now, he’s working out his scheme to eliminate Jesus from our cards, schools, festivals and celebrations. He loves us to call it ‘winter holidays’ and focus on snow and glitter instead.

I want to proudly tell all I know that I celebrate the real meaning of Christmas, the good news of the coming of Jesus. I’m so thrilled that the cards and products Christians are producing are so much more meaningful. They shine in the darkness.

I love the carols written with Holy Spirit inspiration by the hymn writers. I love Handel’s ‘Messiah’, with the Holy Spirit given inspiration behind the music, and thank God that this is a powerful witness today to His truth and life. I know that my Redeemer lives!

I don’t believe that Satan’s equal to God. There’s no dualistic battle. Satan’s always playing catch up to what God’s doing! He tried to eliminate all the baby boys, in an attempt to stop the Messiah coming in the first place. Today, he’s trying to shut up the Christian message of the incarnation. The more he tries to do that, the brighter, the more beautiful and meaningful that message will be - even among the false gold!

Earlier this year, we had the privilege of having our advisors and Jewish friends over from Israel to spend time with our leadership. It was a precious time to hear their encouragement to us Gentile believers to hold fast to what the Holy Spirit has given and inspired in us in celebrating the true meaning of Christmas.

Jesus came into the darkness as the light of the world to save, heal and deliver! What gift can we bring to Him in response? Give our heart.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I love and celebrate You with great thanksgiving this Christmas time. I bring my heart to You as my gift. Amen.