The Magic of Christmas / Day 21

The Magic Of Christmas

Day 21 of 25 “United by Christ” As Christmas draws near, we are reminded of the magical story of Jesus’ birth and the hope it brings. We recall the wise men and shepherds that came to visit the newborn King. We picture a child lying in a trough with animals and hay everywhere. This nativity scene is a beautiful picture of many different people being united through one person. Wise men that came from a foreign land, lowly shepherds from fields nearby, Joseph and Mary from another town, angels singing and exclaiming the glory of God, and even the animals all witnessed this Savior born into the world. Each of these creatures arrived at the scene in a different way and was differently in awe of God. This is a scene of unity, of God being glorified in heaven and on earth. And we know the rest of the story—that Jesus would die and be resurrected and then leave us with the Holy Spirit to guide and direct us and connect us with God. This is the truly magical part of Christmas . . . that God wants us to be a part of his body and be united with him eternally. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul writes that there are different kinds of spiritual gifts, service, and work—but the same God. Each of us receives something different, yet we are part of the same body, and we use those gifts for the same purpose. I encourage you to reflect on the spiritual gifts given to you by the Holy Spirit and how you can use them to serve God. Think also about the people in your circles and how their spiritual gifts are different, yet they serve the same God. As we encourage one another and combine these gifts, we may find ourselves in a similar scene as that of the nativity—many different people from many different places united together with joy and praise and harmony to the glory of God our Father. Brooke Rogers Weekday Luke 2:10 I Corinthians 12:12-13 Ephesians 4:3-6 Luke 2:10 NKJV 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. I Corinthians 12:12-13 NKJV 12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body— whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. Ephesians 4:3-6 NKJV 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.