Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Christmas day has now passed us by. Yet at this moment I am thinking about all that is going to be taking place in the Nachtigall house. All 5 of the kids. spouses and 12 grandkids and one great grandson, plus Vicki’s sister Gina, her husband and daughter will be here by Monday afternoon. Oh, I forgot, Vicki’s Dad and Mom will be coming in on Monday as well.
All total we are looking at 29 of us getting together! It will be wild but since the weather is going to be fair we should do okay. At least the kids will be able to get off their tablets and play outside a little. I think it is going to be pretty neat. Not sure what the neighbors are going to think about it all!
I am just thankful that we are going to all be able to get together and celebrate Christmas together. So often right after Christmas it just seems like the decorations come down and are put away. It just seems like the spirit of Christmas is gone.
As I thought about this I wondered how many people lose the spirit of Christmas as fast as they lose the wrapping paper the gifts came in. It’s amazing how fast our emotions run in new directions once the decorations come down.
Then a thought hit me. I wonder how long the shepherds kept the joy that took them from the Judean hillside to a stable in Bethlehem. I wonder how long the people remained amazed at the story the shepherds told. There is no way we can answer these questions. Truth is we can only answer these questions for ourselves.
You might remember that just before Peter and John were released in Acts 4:19-20 they were told to no longer speak in the name of Jesus. Listen to their reply – “But Peter and John answered and said to them, ‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking what we have seen and heard.’” I believe that was how those shepherds felt. They couldn’t stop speaking what they had seen and heard.
I’m wondering – Has what we’ve seen and heard been enough to keep us speaking the name of Jesus? After all, “For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us….” was the prophetic word spoken by Isaiah and fulfilled in the birth of Christ.
I believe we have done well in proclaiming Christ this Christmas, but how will we do in the coming days. Will we box up the decorations He has placed in our hearts until a later time? Will we push the glory of this time to the side and not reach for it until next year? Will we allow the wonder of the Child born and Son given to slip away into the less than wonderful?
I’ve not seen Christ as Peter and John, but I’ve seen Him move in the lives of many as Christ the Lord. I’ve seen Him touch the hearts and lives of people as Savior. I’ve seen Him as Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Peace. So I choose to say with Peter and John -- “…. for I cannot stop speaking what I have seen and heard.” What about you?
As you see the Christmas decorations being put away, ask yourself if the decorations of Christ are slipping from your life. If you recognize that they are, just remember that the angelic announcement to the shepherds was for us as well – “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people (emphasis mine); for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
So keep speaking the name of Jesus and keep Christmas alive as we move into the coming days.
JESUS, JESUS, JESUS, there IS something about that name!!
Christ only, always,
Bro. Paul
Brother Paul Nachtigall is the preacher at Highland Baptist Church. He can be reached at bropaul@centramedia.net.
