12/20/12- Christmas is for All

Thursday- 12/20- Col. 1:27- To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Thoughts: Two Christmas concepts are here: 1) God opens up the good news to all people- even the Gentiles- which the angels announced in Bethlehem; and 2) God comes to live inside of us.  “O come to us abide in us, Our Lord Emmanuel” goes “O Little Town of Bethlehem.”  Christmas is not just about God coming down to earth- that is a great mystery in itself.  But perhaps an even greater mystery is that Christmas means God abides in us- and that brings us hope of heaven (glory).  Perhaps even more amazing to us is that God came to the Gentiles and also that God came to the poor and the slave.  It is never that we are so good that we forced God to come.  In fact, it is the opposite- we are so bad that God had to do something or none of us would fellowship with Him.  God’s coming to us- even inside of us is indeed a mystery.  It is hard to fathom His mercy and grace. 

 (Sun’s rising over the Sea of Galilee- taken by Ben Sloan;
“In the future He will honor Galilee of the Gentiles- the people walking in darkness have seen a great light- For unto us a child is born…” Isa. 9)

Prayer:  Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your mercy and grace that abide with us.

Application:  Christ lives inside you.  Think of one thing you would do today-right where you live- right with the people you will see- if you were Jesus.  In reality- He is in you and you are in Him.  He has no hands but yours.

Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates, Behold, the King of glory waits;
The king of kings is drawing near; The Savior of the world is here.

Redeemer come!  I open wide my heart to Thee; here, Lord, abide. 
Let me Thy inner presence feel; Thy grace and love in me reveal.  (PH #8)