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What's So Special About Christmas?

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Building a Better Life

God's Power to Change Your Life

When man landed on the moon, that was big news. It was almost as if the whole world stopped to watch Neil Armstrong’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. But it is nothing compared to the news that God landed on the earth. Jesus Christ is God, and his birth is when God came to Earth. The Relevance of Christmas: God Came to Earth Jesus “always had the nature of God ...” (Philippians 2:6 TEV) Jesus was God, and he came to live among us for a while (John 1). That is the relevance of Christmas. Jesus didn't start in the stable. He existed even before Creation. The preeminence of Christ is explained in Colossians, where we are told he is the exact likeness of the unseen God, he existed before anything else, and, in truth, he is the Creator who made everything in Heaven and on Earth (Colossians 1:15-16). We may have a hard time relating to a vague being in the sky, but Jesus is God in the flesh. The Bible says if you've seen Jesus, you've seen God (John 1). If Jesus really is God and God came to Earth, then Christmas is the most relevant event of history. The Reality of Christmas: God Became Man The reality of Christmas was that Jesus Christ was a real man, flesh and blood, bones and hair. He was a real person — not a myth, not a fable, not a nice story. The Bible says Jesus “of his own free will he gave up all he had, and took the nature of a servant. He became like a human being and appeared in human likeness” (Philippians 2:7 TEV). Why would Jesus come as a human being? Consider this: If God had wanted to communicate with dogs, he would have become a dog. If he wanted to communicate with birds, he would have become a bird. But God wanted to communicate with people, so he became a person. How is Jesus like us?

He was born like us. He gave up all he had and came into the world like billions of other babies. Yet, the whole history of the world rested in that one fragile infant. There was no flashy entrance that could be seen by everyone in the world. Jesus came in the middle of the night in a stable in Bethlehem. Jesus was God in human form, born like us (Luke 2:5-7).
He grew like us. Jesus grew and developed and had growth spurts (Luke 2:52). Can you imagine what it would have been like to be in school with Jesus? You would know that he was a little bit different, but would you believe that he was God? He did not parade the fact that he was God. He was a human being and grew like us. He looked every inch a Jew from Palestine. He was a real man who worked as a carpenter — that's the reality of Christmas.
He was tempted like us. The Bible says Jesus was tempted, just like us, yet he was without sin (Hebrews 4:14-16). Jesus experienced the same pressures that you and I do, the same temptations and desires, but he never gave into them. This is important because it means Jesus can relate to you when you're struggling with temptations.
He suffered like us. Jesus felt pain and disappointment. He became tired and lonely. He grieved, he cried, he was human. In Gethsemane Jesus said, “The sorrow in my heart is so great that it almost crushes me” (Matthew 26:38 TEV). Jesus knew what it was like to feel pain and to be under pressure. Jesus became what we are, so we can become what he is. That is the reality of Christmas.

The Reason for Christmas: Jesus Came to Die Jesus didn't stay in the manger. He went to a cross and voluntarily laid down his life for us. The Bible says, “He was humble and walked the path of obedience all the way to death—his death on the cross” (Philippians 2:8 TEV). Nobody put him there without his permission. Why did he allow himself to go to the cross? The Bible says he did it for two reasons:

To demonstrate God's love: The Bible says, “God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:8 NLT, second edition). His motivation was love. If you want to know how much God loves you, look at the cross. Jesus said, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13 NLT, second edition). The Bible says that Jesus gave his life for us when we rejected him, before we even knew him, before we were even born.
To pay for our sins: When you break a law, you have to pay a penalty. When you break man's laws, you pay man's penalties. When you break God's laws, you pay God's penalties. The Bible tells us that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life: “Christ himself carried our sins in his body to the cross, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness. It is by his wounds that you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24 TEV). What Jesus did over 2,000 years ago can make a difference in our lives right now. We can be completely forgiven for everything we’ve ever done wrong or will ever do wrong. That's the reason for Christmas.

The angels said, “This very day in David's town your Savior was born—Christ the Lord!” (Luke 2:11 TEV) Jesus came to be the Savior of the world. If you didn't need a Savior, God wouldn't have wasted all the effort to send one. The very fact that Jesus Christ did come to Earth, gave up all the glory of Heaven, became a human being, was born as a little baby, grew up to be a man with pressures and temptations like our own, and then died on a cross and was raised from the dead means you definitely need what God has to offer. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have wasted all that energy. Salvation through Jesus means freedom — freedom from guilt, worry, fear, purposelessness in life. You are free to live the way God meant for you to live, and you can rest in the freedom of knowing Jesus has given you eternal life. So the Cross of Christ is not the end of baby Jesus in the manger. He is alive, and he came on a mission to bring you home to the Father. That's the reason for Christmas. The Result of Christmas: Jesus Is Lord The Bible says that because Jesus was willing to walk in humility, “God raised him to the highest place above and gave him the name that is greater than any other name. And so, in honor of the name of Jesus all beings in heaven, on earth, and in the world below will fall on their knees, and all will openly proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11 TEV). But God already knew Jesus would succeed at his mission because, when he was born, the angels proclaimed him Lord: “This very day in David's town your Savior was born—Christ the Lord!” (Luke 2:11 TEV) What does it mean to be a Christian, to be a believer, to be saved? It means to say, “Jesus is my Lord. I acknowledge the fact that he is God, I believe that he has everything under control, and I commit everything I have to him.” What does it mean to say, “Jesus is Lord”? a) I acknowledge that Jesus really is God. He's more than a man or a prophet. He is the Lord over my life, meaning I will do what he tells me to do — it is a test of my commitment to him. b) I believe that Jesus has everything under control. To say “Jesus is Lord” is a statement of comfort and encouragement. Even if everything looks bleak, Jesus is Lord, and I know he's got everything under control. I may not see the pattern or exactly what is happening, but Jesus is Lord, and I recognize the truth that he has everything under control. Nothing escapes his care or concern because he is Lord. To say “Jesus is Lord” is to say that I don't know what the New Year holds, but I know who holds the future. c) I commit all of my life to Jesus. He has the right to determine what's right in my life and to direct me. I seek to live according to his plans. The Bible says one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. It will happen. All of the arrogance in this world that puts itself up against Christ and all the arguments that deny Jesus is Lord will fall by the wayside, and every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. That is the result of Christmas: Jesus is Lord. We need to rediscover this phrase that has been used for centuries as the test of a believer: JESUS IS LORD. It’s what it means to be a believer: “If you confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised him from death, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9 TEV). You may think evil is winning, but Jesus is Lord. You may think you can’t go on because circumstances are piled up against you, but Jesus is Lord. You may think your problems are too big for anyone to handle, but Jesus is Lord. When you’re discouraged, say, “Jesus is Lord.” When you're tired, when you’re worried, when you’re afraid, when you’re lonely say, “Jesus is Lord.” Say it when you're grieving and you don't understand why someone you love just died. Say it when you don't think you can go another mile. Say it this Christmas and make it the theme of your life: Jesus is Lord. photo by Marian Trinidad via CreationSwap.

Recent Articles

Walking a Different Path—and Why It’s Worth It

“Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God.” Genesis 6:9 (NLT)Pastor, if you want to keep fulfilling your calling—and stay faithful in a world that’s resistant to the gospel—you must be willing to walk a different path than the surrounding culture.That’s not always easy, especially on a Monday morning. Maybe Sunday didn’t go the way you hoped. Maybe you’re wondering if anyone was really listening. Maybe you're tired. But your faithfulness, even in weariness, is exactly what God notices.Noah’s generation was in full rebellion against God. Genesis 6:12 says, “God observed all this corruption in the world, for everyone on earth was corrupt” (NLT). That must have felt incredibly isolating for Noah—yet he stayed the course. The Message paraphrase says it like this: “Noah was different. GOD liked what he saw in Noah” (Genesis 6:8).Let that sink in: God liked what he saw in Noah.Would he say the same of you today? Absolutely. When you preach the Word even when people don’t respond, when you pray over your congregation with love, when you lead with integrity even when it's hard—God sees. And he smiles.You don’t have to be flashy. You don’t have to go viral. You don’t even have to feel effective. Keep doing what God calls you to do. That’s what set Noah apart. He walked with God, even when the rest of the world walked away.As our world moves further from God, pastors like you shine all the brighter. Your steady, faithful ministry matters more than you realize.

Before You Say Yes: 3 Questions Every Pastor Should Ask

“If any of you needs wisdom to know what you should do, you should ask God, and he will give it to you. God is generous to everyone and doesn’t find fault with them.”James 1:5 (GW)You’re likely reading this on a Monday. Yesterday, you poured your heart for your congregation—preaching, shepherding, and leading your people. Now, you’re tired. God wants you to get your proper rest. If you’re burning the candle at both ends, you’re not as bright as you think you are. You’re going to burn out!Every week, you’re probably offered more ministry opportunities than you could take on in a month. That counseling appointment, that community invitation, that extra meeting—they’re all good things. But without wisdom, even good opportunities can become spiritual quicksand.When a new opportunity crosses your desk, take these three steps:Ask, “Is it worth it?” Will this serve the kingdom in the way God has wired you to serve? Is it worth the time, energy, and emotional bandwidth it will cost? Every “yes” is a trade—you’re giving away part of your life for it. Is it worth that kind of exchange?Ask, “What will I have to give up?” Saying “yes” to one thing means saying “no” to something else. Maybe your family. Maybe margin for prayer and reflection. Maybe the deep work God’s been calling you to. Make your “what-matters-most” list before you make your to-do list. Let God shape your priorities before your calendar does.Ask, “Should I just say no?” We’re used to running at the speed of crisis, but constant urgency isn't godly—it’s exhausting. Learning to say “no” is an act of faith. It’s trusting that God can lead your church better than you can. It’s believing your value isn’t in how much you do, but in who you are in Christ. If something isn’t on your “what-matters-most” list, it may be best just to say no.Remember, you don’t need to figure this all out on your own. James 1:5 promises that when we ask for wisdom, God gives it—generously and without shaming us for needing it.So take a breath, pastor. Take your list of opportunities to the Lord. Ask him for wisdom. Then choose what matters most—and rest knowing that obedience is more important than busyness.

How to Refuel Mid-Flight

During the Cold War, the Strategic Air Command operated 24 hours a day as a shield of protection for our nation. This meant that at any point in a given day, there were combat-configured bombers flying to assure the safety of our nation. To extend the range of these planes, the military perfected mid-flight refueling, which allowed the planes to fly longer without running out of fuel. A refueling plane would actually fly up next to a Strategic Air Command plane, dock in, and refill the plane’s fuel tank.As a pastor, you need to learn how to refuel your life in mid-flight. You can’t just hop off to Tahiti every time you get tired and discouraged. You need to keep going. You have to learn how to recharge yourself by reconnecting with God in the middle of your hectic lifestyle. The fact is, ministry takes energy. What do you do when you run out of energy? The Living Bible paraphrase of  Psalm 94:19 says, “Lord, when doubts fill my mind, when my heart is in turmoil, quiet me and give me renewed hope and cheer.” Are you ever quiet? Americans are afraid of silence. It makes us very uncomfortable. The moment you get in your car, the radio goes on. The moment you get home, the TV goes on. Very little of your life is honestly quiet. But the Bible’s wisdom, in effect, says this: “If you want to lower your stress, it’s as simple as this: Shut up. Be silent. Stop talking and start listening.”Once a day, go outside, sit down, and just be quiet. I’m not talking about reading your Bible (though you also ought to read your Bible every day). I’m just talking about getting alone for five minutes a day and being completely silent. Ask God a question, and then just sit there and listen.Sometimes people say, “God, I really need your guidance on this,” and then they get up and walk off. They don’t wait for an answer. If you never hear from God, it may be that you never listen.Learn to take mini breaks during the day. When you feel your pressure rising, just stop and say, “God, I want to tune in to you again. I want to focus on you.” This doesn’t have to take 30 minutes. Take even 15 or 20 seconds—just little mini-breaks—where you stop and be quiet.Why is this important? Because the race of life is tough. Inevitably, ministry is tough. We get distracted, discouraged, and start to doubt. And you start wondering, “Maybe I shouldn’t be pursuing everything God is calling me to do in ministry. Maybe I should just coast for the next couple of months.” When you coast, you start heading downhill. You go the wrong way.Discouragement leads to doubt. How do you defeat doubt? Here are three things I remember when I’m discouraged that you can remember too:1. I remind myself of God’s goodness yesterday. I make a list of all the things he’s done in my life, and I express my thankfulness. The attitude of gratitude is the healthiest emotion you can have.2. I remember God’s presence today. I remind myself that he’s with me right now. Even when I feel like I’m completely alone, I’m not. I’ve just forgotten that he’s there with me. I remind myself that God has promised things like, “I’m here. I’m going to help you. I’ve promised I’ll never leave you or forsake you. I’m with you right now in this crisis.”3. I remind myself of God’s promises for tomorrow. There are more than 7,000 promises for us in the Bible. Each one is like a blank check that I can write out: “God, I am claiming this one today. I’m turning in this coupon.” He has said, “I will give you strength. I will give you the necessary tools to accomplish the task I’ve given you. I will give you the wisdom you need in this situation if you’ll just call on me.”I don’t need to doubt God’s goodness yesterday, God’s presence today, or God’s promises tomorrow. I don’t need to doubt. I don’t need to be discouraged. I don’t need to be distracted. I can let God renew my spirit daily.If you want to last over the long haul of ministry, you need to learn how God can help you recharge yourself spiritually, emotionally, physically and mentally. 2 Corinthians 4:16 says, “For this reason we never become discouraged. Even though our physical being is gradually decaying, yet our spiritual being is renewed day after day” (GNT). God promises to renew your spirit daily. So you need to figure out what renews you. Make a list of the things that keep you going, the things that re-energize you. Then do those things over and over.

Essential Conditions for Fruitful Ministry

Most people are interested in productivity. But the Bible doesn’t use the word "productivity;" instead, you’ll find the word "fruitfulness.” God wants us to have fruitful ministries, so this week I want to show you some principles that will produce a godly fruitfulness in your life. I believe there are four conditions that are essential for a fruitful ministry.First, you must cultivate roots.God says there’s no fruit without roots. You need roots, particularly when your resources are limited, for when times of drought come along.Drought, as you know, is a long period without rain. We had one here in California that lasted seven years! A drought in your life is whenever you must do without something you need, such as time, energy, money, or support. There will be times of drought in your ministry. Perhaps you’re even in one now.Second, you must eliminate the weeds in your life and ministry.The weeds in your ministry, and in your life, are things that hinder or limit your spiritual growth. Weeds are the things that choke your relationship to Christ or that prevent you from further growth.How much effort does it take to grow weeds? None at all! You don’t have to cultivate weeds. In fact, that’s the difference between a weed and a vegetable. You feed, water, and cultivate a vegetable, and sometimes it still dies! Pay no attention to a weed, and it still grows.Weeds are a sign of neglect. I’ve found that when I neglect my quiet time, when I neglect my personal maintenance, like walking and staying physically fit, and when I neglect key relationships in my life, the weeds start to grow and begin choking my productivity.Third, you must cooperate with God’s pruning in your life.What is pruning? Pruning involves cutting off not only dead branches but also living ones in order to improve the shape of the plant and stimulate growth. Pruning is essential for increased productivity. It’s not optional. If you’re going to be productive in ministry, God will put you through times of pruning. He prunes you for fruitfulness. In your life it’s not only the dead wood that God cuts off; he also cuts back areas of success, even areas that are bearing wonderful fruit. When he does this you might struggle to understand why, but the reason is he is preparing you for even greater ministry.Fourth, you must wait for the harvest.Growing fruit takes time. It doesn’t come automatically. You don’t plant a seed in the ground and harvest it the next day.My wife loves nasturtiums. I bought her some seeds two years ago, and to this date, we still don’t have any flowers. The reason is because the seeds are still in the pantry in an envelope!It’s common sense: Seeds must be planted first. You’ve got to cover them up with dirt, and then you wait and pray and expect growth.Just as a seed creates new life out of death, for you to be more effective in your ministry there’s a dying to your old nature, a dying to your own desires and ambitions in the waiting process. Growth takes time—but don’t give up. Stay plugged in to Jesus Christ.Maybe you’ve been dormant in your ministry for some time. My prayer is that you’ll give yourself to Christ, saying, "Lord, I want to work on these four things: cultivating my roots, eliminating the weeds, cooperating with your pruning, and waiting for the harvest. God, I trust you with what I’ve planted, and I trust that what I have sown I will inevitably reap a harvest for you.”That is the law of the harvest.