Kingdom Confirmations (Part 4): A Meaningful Christmas
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Rest in his light
In today’s all-measuring world, the end of the year has become the ultimate progress-report moment. With one “year-end summary” after another, you can literally keep score on nearly every aspect of your life. And while many of these aren’t necessarily bad things, it’s easy to get caught up in believing they’re the “only” things.
In this season of reflection, there’s a constant temptation to turn our affection away from God’s Spirit & place all the attention back on ourselves. But instead of becoming impressed with our highlights or depressed by our “low-lights”, The Lord invites us to simply rest in His Light.
”Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.”
Luke 1:78-79 (NLT)
The birth of Jesus is the brightest & most beautiful display of God's Light, and we should be awestruck by His loving divinity. As those who’ve passed from death to Life, we should be walking on His path of peace & serenity.
Instead of reflecting on “how far you’ve come”, let true peace flood your heart as you remember what Christ has done. Let this be a moment to consider the immeasurable work of The Lord. Let this be a moment to reflect the Presence of His Light—delivered 2000 years ago on that sacred, Holy Night.
faith | praise | Power
Faith, praise, & power—these are reoccurring themes you see when you look at the stories of the people surrounding the birth of Jesus. The story of Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, provides such an example.
In Luke Ch.1 we get an introduction into the lives of Zacharias & his wife Elizabeth. We see that Zacharias was a priest who had faithfully served in the temple of God for many years. And we also learn that he and his wife were “advanced in age” & had never had a child.
Zacharias ends up being selected to make the incense offering to the Lord, which leads to the supernatural turning-point in his story. As he goes to make the offering, Zacharias is terrified as he sees the angel Gabriel standing at the right of the altar of incense. The angel Gabriel speaks up & says:
“Do not be afraid, Zacharias, because your petition [in prayer] was heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John.
…You will have great joy and delight, and many will rejoice over his birth…and he [John] will be filled with and empowered to act by the Holy Spirit…in order to make ready a people [perfectly] prepared [spiritually and morally] for the Lord [Jesus].”
In response, Zacharias asks how he can be “certain” of this. To which Gabriel gives his credentials as a messenger of the Lord, and informs Zacharias that he will be mute (unable to speak) until John’s birth due to his unbelief.
When we look ahead to the 8th day of John the Baptist’s birth, we see the people preparing to name the child Zacharias (as was customary in that day). His mother, Elizabeth, speaks up & tells them he will be named John. In a confused response, the people reply, “None of your relatives [are] called by that name.”
The mute Zacharias is given a writing tablet & confirms his wife’s words by writing, “His name is John… At once Zacharias’ mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began speaking, praising and blessing and thanking God…
Now Zacharias his father was filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered by Him, and he prophesied…” (v. 64 & 67).
The beauty of Zacharias’ story is, the truth that altered his life, is the same truth that transforms ours. Like you and I, Zacharias was an ordinary man with an ordinary life, until God brought the Good News of Jesus into the equation.
The 8th day of his son’s birth brought about a faith-building moment for Zacharias. As the people around him stated, there was no reason for his son to be named John. But it’s in the middle of life’s “doesn’t make sense” moments-
Where Faith Shines The Brightest.
By faith, Zacharias confirms the Word of the Lord in naming his son John (the one who would prepare the way for Jesus). Zacharias’ confession of faith & belief in his heart lead him to speak again, but this time, his voice is full of thanksgiving & praise. All of which leads to God empowering Zacharias with His Holy Spirit.
This is the reality for each one of us. No matter where you are in your walk with Christ, there is a good confession of faith to make. It’s what we declare in the dark that ultimately brings the life-changing Light of Jesus to our lives. Our faith in Jesus is the declaration that brings praise. Our faith in Jesus-
Is the declaration that delivers god’s power.
This very Hour
“…Those who are wise will find a time and a way to do what is right, for there is a time and a way for everything, even when a person is in trouble.”
God recognized the trouble we would find ourselves in once sin entered our lives. He knew sin would break our world, it would break His heart, and ultimately sever our relationship with Him.
In His infinite & loving wisdom, God sought a solution. At the right time and in the right way, He spoke Light into our darkness.
“For God so loved the world that He sent His one & only Son [Jesus], that whoever Believes in Him will not perish but will have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
The story of Jesus is not just a historical account that’s intended to amaze us. The story of Jesus is a modern-day message that’s intended to save us. The baby in the manger is the King on the Throne. The Lord of Lords lowered Himself so that you could be lifted up.
God is offering you a life filled with faith, praise, and power. He’s offering you the Presence of Jesus—
this very hour.
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today’s Takeaways
Jesus is life’s most meaningful measure.
we all have a good confession of faith to make.
faith shines brightest in the dark.