Each Of Us Has A New Road Ahead Of Us In The New Year. A Different Road Than Any We’ve Traveled On Before. Not Knowing What We May Find, Not Knowing Exactly Where We’re Going. I Want To Share With You Four Keys That Will Help All Of Us In 2025.

A New Road for a New Year & How To Make The Most Of Your New Year.  Each of us has a new road ahead of us in the new year.  It’s another road, a different road than any we’ve traveled on before. We are stepping off down that road, not knowing what we may find, not knowing exactly where we’re going. I want to share with you four keys that will help all of us get the most out of the year 2025. Keys can be used to start something or used to open doors. It is my prayer that these keys will start you off on the right foot in the right direction. It is also my prayer that you will use these keys to open the doors of opportunity that God places before you. I will label these keys A, B, C and D.   

After Christmas, we ought to walk into the new year differently. There is something about having that personal encounter with Jesus. The Magi came one way and went out "another way." Oh, isn't that the story of everyone who ever encountered Christ? Jacob walked away limping with a new name. Moses's face glowed like a lightbulb. Peter became a fisher of men. Saul of Tarsus, the prejudiced nationalist Judaizer became the apostle to the Gentiles. After Christmas, we ought to walk in the New Year differently. Something was different after their encounter with the Baby King. 

Today is the 5th day after Christmas. Many of us are tired. It has been a long week of celebration, food, fun, family, and gift exchanges. We have watched our favorite Christmas movies, attended worship services focused on Christmas, been to plays and concerts, and... There have also been difficult moments as we have missed loved ones who have departed or thought about those who are sick. Others have faced sickness during this time. Christmas has come and it's almost gone. Oh, we still have a play to do, and our decorations are still up, and we hope that the spirit of Christmas will linger, but what do we do after Christmas?

You may not arrive the same way as others. You may not arrive at the same time. The important thing is that you arrive at Christmas. More important still is that you left differently than when you came, hopefully, better. The shepherds showed up curious and left rejoicing.

The Magi went out "another way." Oh, isn't that the story of everyone who ever encountered Christ? Jacob walked away limping with a new name. Moses's face glowed like a lightbulb. Peter became a fisher of men. Saul of Tarsus, the prejudiced nationalist Judaizer became the apostle to the Gentiles. The Magi went out another way. After Christmas, we ought to go another way.

They went back to their same jobs, but they went back another way. Something was different after their encounter with the Baby King. They went back to their own country." Christmas changes everything, but some things seem to remain the same. They were still employed as magi. They still had the same houses, families, kids, or whatever else they had, but...They probably did their jobs differently. After Christmas, we ought to walk into the new year differently. I like the reality of the calendar that Christmas is the final holiday before the New Year.

As we think about the way Jesus came into the world as a helpless Babe, we ought to become a little more willing to be vulnerable. Be a little kinder. Those that are led by the Spirit. Gal 4:4 Not the law, but grace. Not the letter, but the Spirit.

3. Let The Spirit Lead

After Christmas, there are difficulties ahead. After the holiday season, we will return to our jobs and our ministries. The magi returned to their own country; the shepherds returned to their flocks. After the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh were dispersed and the worship party was over Mary had to feed the Christ Child and change diapers. She had housework to do and the anxiety of Herod's threat. Joseph still had to provide for his wife and her Child. He still had to protect them.

The magi were "warned of God in a dream" (Matt 2:12). They were led by the Spirit to avoid Herod's threat, but the Spirit also led them back to their normal jobs. You can imagine their work was transformed. Not they did all that they did as unto the Lord! The shepherds were led by Heaven, and it changed the way they spoke!

As were leave the Christmas season and move toward walking into a brand-new year. Our visit to the manger should revive our desire to be led by God.

A new year always brings a sense of hope, doesn’t it?  The previous year with all its tragedies, problems, disappointments, failures, and sadness is now behind us, and a clean slate lies ahead.

For sure there has been plenty in the news to make anyone depressed.  As one commentator recently wrote in a local newspaper: “Reality seems to crush [hope] at every turn: crushing economic disparities in this country, the pernicious scourge of racism, [the increase of] global warming, homelessness in our own ‘backyard’ and the plague of illicit drugs, rampant gun violence, etc., etc.

Also, many of us are feeling personal pains or anxieties this new year.  Some of us are wrestling with important decisions regarding a primary relationship or a task to be done; some know firsthand the powerful effects of a disabling disease or worry about health issues in the upcoming months; some have had to deal recently with a major loss; some wonder if we can make it in the coming year without the presence of one who meant so much; some of us are feeling very lonely, despite people all around us; some of us fear growing older, or fear what the future may hold; some wonder if dreams will ever be realized, or whether the new year will be even more frustrating and filled with feelings of futility than the last.  Many of us are feeling pain or anxiety this new year.  What is this pain or anxiety like for you?

How To Make The Most Of Your New Year: Proverbs 17:24

Can you believe that this year is over? It seems that with each passing year time just speeds up. We can all do one of two things this year:

· We can waste it away by sitting around and worrying about the things we failed to accomplish last year, or the mistakes we made throughout the year. We can sit around and mope or have a pity party because things didn’t go the way we wanted them to. OR

· We can decide to make the most of this New Year that God has granted us. This could be the greatest year you have had up to this point if you make a conscious decision to do whatever it takes to have a great year.

The bad news is there is nothing we can do to change last year or previous years. The good news is we can learn from last year and today we can start over and make some changes. God brings life to us in small pieces, that we know as hours, days, and months. At the beginning of every year He says, let’s wipe the slate clean, and let’s start with a brand-new year. It’s like God is saying, “Let’s start over.” And that’s good news.

Proverbs 17:24 (The Good News Version) "An intelligent person aims at wise actions, but a fool starts in many directions."

For many the last part of that verse describes them. It says, “A fool starts in many directions.” Does that describe any of you? You start your year off in haste, going in many different directions at one time with no plan of action.

Then notice the words at the beginning of this verse: it says, " An Intelligent person aims at wise actions". That means they have a goal, an objective, an aim, and a target. Have you set any goals for 2025? Or are you just going to walk into this year and hope it’s better? You’ve got to have a plan.

I want to share with you four keys that will help all of us get the most out of the year 2025. Keys can be used to start something or used to open doors. It is my prayer that these keys will start you off on the right foot in the right direction. It is also my prayer that you will use these keys to open the doors of opportunity that God places before you. I will label these keys A, B, C, and D.

A - Accept responsibility for my life.

This is hard for many people to do. Some people would rather blame someone else for the problems and difficulties in their lives. These are people who go around looking for someone who will accept responsibility for them. Someone who will accept responsibility for the way they live their lives and the choices they make. When things don’t turn out the way they hope, they have someone they can blame.

Accepting responsibility for one’s life is not a popular concept in our society, because we live in a culture that embraces a concept called "political correctness". This says, "None of your problems are your fault. Everything bad in your life is somebody else’s fault. Blame the environment. Blame the educator. Blame your parents. Blame anybody else, but it’s not your fault." If you get in an accident, it’s never your fault. If you spill some hot coffee on yourself, sue McDonalds; it’s their fault. It’s always somebody else’s fault. We will never be a success in life, and we will never make our lives count if we have the attitude that it’s someone else’s fault. We must accept responsibility for our own lives.

Galatians 6:5 “Each person must be responsible for himself.”

The King James Version says, “For every man shall bear his burden.”

Here is the truth of this scripture. I am responsible for my own life whether I like it or not.

All of us here this morning face two kinds of circumstances.

Those circumstances which we have no control over. None of us here this morning knows what we will face throughout this coming year. Certain things are going to happen regardless of what you do and how you plan your year. That is no excuse for not being prepared or having a plan. (Example of some things that we have no control over We have no control over the weather, the economy, the companies that we work for, or the words and actions of others.)

· There are some circumstances that we face because of our own choices, actions, or lack of actions. (Example: I’ve known people who have had financial problems because they quit their jobs and didn’t have another job to go to. The reason they quit their job is because they didn’t like it or someone made them mad. Then when things got tight, money and food were low, these people blamed their family, the church, or someone in the church because their family, the church, or someone in the church refused to accept responsibility for the decisions and actions of those people. What they wanted was someone to accept responsibility for their lives and bail them out of trouble. There are people like that in the world. I am not talking about someone who through no fault of his or her own fell on hard times. I’m talking about someone who did something without considering the consequences of his or her actions and how these actions would affect others around them.

· While we may not be in control of all the circumstances that we will face this coming year, we do have control of how we will act and respond to them.

We need to understand that there are three kinds of people in life.

· There are accusers.

· There are excusers.

· There are choosers.

There are accusers. They always blame everybody else for their problems. Their favorite phrase is, "It’s all your fault." It’s never my fault. It’s someone else’s fault.

There are the excusers. Excusers are people who always have an excuse for not deciding or doing something. There’s always a reason why they can’t make the most or get the most out of their year. In the long run, they end up being the losers. I’ve discovered that whenever I want to procrastinate on something, any excuse will do. The Bible says, "A lazy man is full of excuses."

There are the choosers, who say, “I choose to accept responsibility for my own life, goals, and happiness. I’m not dependent upon somebody else. I choose the direction of my life.” I’m not depending on the crowd. If we do this, we will already be a jump ahead in 2025.

B - Believe I can change

Stop saying, "I can’t" and start saying, "I can". The person who believes that they can change with the help of God will change.

Philippians 4:13 (Jerusalem Bible) “There is nothing I cannot master with the help of Christ who gives me strength.”

Do you believe that verse? There’s nothing I can’t master! That means there’s nothing I’m going to hit in the next 365 days, no problem, no situation, no circumstance, no hassle that I can’t handle, that I can’t manage, that I’m not competent to handle with the help and strength God gives me.

Many people never succeed in life because they believe they can’t change. They never enjoy life because life to them is just one big failure after another. They face a new year with regret rather than the joy of knowing that God has allowed them to make a difference in their own lives with the help of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I believe I have discovered why there are so many New Year parties where people get so drunk, they can’t see straight. They get drunk to forget the past year and because they are afraid to face the New Year.

With the help and grace of God, I can overcome the past and face the future. I have a new handle on my own life for this coming year. I believe and know I can change. Not on my power, but with the power that Christ gives me.

The Bible is full of stories of people who changed because they believed that they could change after God touched them.

God called a man named Moses: “I want to use you to save a nation.” Moses said, “Me? I got kicked out of Egypt because I killed a guy. I’m a murderer. Now I’m out here feeding sheep. And on top of that, I stutter! I’m slow in speech. You want me to be the spokesman for a nation?” God said, "Yes. I’m going to use you."

God another man named Gideon, when the nation of Israel was overrun by the enemy: “I’m going to use you, Gideon, to save the country.” Gideon said, “Me? I am the youngest kid in the poorest family in the smallest tribe in the nation.” God said, “Yes. I’m going to use you.”

God can use me, and God can use you. The good news is God wants to use you. First, you must accept responsibility for your own life. Second, you must believe you can change, and that God can give you the power to change if you trust Him.

C - Clarify what I want

You must decide what’s important and what’s not important. God has given each of us an incredible gift called the freedom to choose, the freedom of choice. That’s one of the things that makes us like God. When God says in Genesis 1, “Let Us make man in Our image,” that gives us the freedom of choice. This is one of the ways that we are different from animals, we have the freedom to choose between good and evil. We have the freedom to choose what we want in life.

The only way can clarify what we want is to make a list and decide what is important and what is not.

Amazingly, most people never do this. They never stop and think through and write down on paper what’s important to them. Maybe some of you have never done this. You’ve never written down the things that are important to you. You must ask yourself,

“What’s important to me?” What counts? We can’t do what’s important until we clarify what’s important. Otherwise, you’re going to be pushed around by the pressures of life doing this and that then suddenly, the year is over and you’re saying, “Where did the year go?”

Your values determine your vision. Your desires determine your direction. Your roles determine your goals.

Most people have never made up their mind what they want out of life and if you aim at nothing, you’re going to hit it. Most people have this vague feeling of, “I just want to be happy.” But they’ve never really sat down and figured out what is it that’s going to make me happy. What does God want me to do with my life? Why am I here? They’ve never written out their values.

I want to challenge each of you to make a list of things that are important to you, a list of things that you want to accomplish. What do I value? What do I want to change? Put it down. Then make this your prayer list. Pin it up on a wall, review it every day and pray about it. Then plan of action that will help you accomplish your goals for this year. Then do whatever you have to, do to make, and get the most out of this coming year. Clarify what you want. Allow God to lead. Then watch God do miracles in your life.

There are some things in life that we will do that are permissible but may not be necessary to our advantage. There will be some things that all of us will do this year that will not benefit us at all.

We are going to have to decide between what is good and what is better. Between what is better and what is best. There are many that we can do, but not all of them will be beneficial.” Some things aren’t necessarily wrong; they’re just not necessary. We don’t have time for everything. We need to clarify the two or three things that we’ve got to get done this year. What are the important things?

May I suggest two or three things that need to be at the top of your list?

· Your relationship with God needs to be #1. What are you going to do this year to strengthen and improve your relationship with God? What are you going to do to become more intimate with Him? You need to make your relationship with God a top priority.

· Your relationship with your family. What are you going to do to build a stronger and better relationship with your family? What are you going to change about yourself that will help you to accomplish this?

· Your relationship with your church and church family. What are you willing to do to improve the quality of your church? How involved are you willing to get to help your church accomplish the commission that God has given it? How committed are you going to be in your attendance and support of your church?

Clarify what’s important.

D - Don’t wait to begin.

Do it now! These three words can change your life. Do it now. If you and I wait for the right situation or the right kind of circumstances, we will miss out on life altogether. There will never be an ideal set of circumstances to start on. To make the most of 2025 and to accomplish the things you want to accomplish, start now. Don’t wait to begin.

Ecclesiastes 11:4 “If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.”

We always say, “When things settle down.” Or “When things get better.” The problem is things may never settle down or get any better. That’s called life! If you’re out there using that as an excuse, “When things settle down or get better, I’m going to start having a daily quiet time and read my Bible every day,” you’re never going to do it. You learn to read your Bible and pray when things are unsettled and not so good. “When things settle down, I’m going to spend more time with my kids.” They’ll be grown and gone!

There are a lot of people who have missed out on life waiting for the ideal set of circumstances or waiting for things to get better. While they were waiting, time just kept on going and passed them by.

We must learn to enjoy life under circumstances that are less than perfect. Whatever you’re going to do, that which you want to do, start now! Because things may not settle down or get better until we’re in the coffin.

Some of you are saying to yourself, “I’m going to make the most of this New Year. I am going to set some goals and accomplish them. Right now, you are being motivated, you are pumped up to make the most of this year. However, when you walk out the door there will be no one to motivate you or to encourage you. You must determine right now that it doesn’t matter what happens or what comes your way, this is going to be the best year yet. Then with each passing year, continue to improve the quality of your life with the help and grace of God.

I had mentioned before in one of my previous messages, have we shared Jesus with anyone this year, anyone at all, if we haven’t things need to change going forward into 2025. This is not just something I do as a teacher or an evangelist leader in the ministry. We are called to accomplish the mission of Jesus by sharing Jesus and inviting people into the family of Jesus Christ. You don’t worry about changing them, you catch them, and Jesus will clean them, we are all fishermen.

Conclusion: What kind of person will you be this year? Will you be an accuser, an excuser, or a chooser? Will you choose to make the most of 2025? Will you accept responsibility for your life? Will you believe you can change? Will you clarify what you want this year and what is important to you? Will you start right now? Will your relationship with God be at the top of your priority list? Will your family and church be at the top of that list? The choice is yours. What will it be?

Blessings

J.P. Olson

www.journeyintotheword.com

Believe It or Not, But Not Everyone Is Smiling, Waiting for Christmas Morning to Arrive. No, There Are Some Who Lost Loved Ones. Some Are Having Their First Christmas After the Divorce; The Loss Of Parents. The Christmas Guest That Never Left.

Greetings & Wishing You the Spirit of Christmas which is Peace: The Blessing of Christmas which is Hope. From the Heart of Christmas which is Christ. Matthew 1:23, “Listen! The virgin shall conceive a child! She shall give birth to a Son, and He shall be called “Emmanuel” (meaning “God Is With Us.”) TLB

One Of The Clearest Statements In All The Bible Is 1 Timothy 1:15,” “Christ Jesus Came Into The World To Save Sinners.”

So, Christmas Is About Something God Initiated — something God did in history. It has to do with the way the created universe relates to the one Being who is absolute, no beginning, no ending, no development, no becoming — He simply is who He is. In fact, God says in Exodus 3:14 that His name is “I am who I am.” Christmas is about how this God relates to us and how we relate to Him. What Luke does in this passage of Scripture Luke 1:26-38 tell us 1) how this absolute God broke into His creation to save sinners, and 2) who it was that came from this in-breaking. How did Christmas happen and who came of it? What difference can this make for you?

How did the Creator of the universe break into His universe?

He Broke Into The Universe By Doing The Impossible. Luke 1:37, “For nothing will be impossible with God and the time has come for the most impossible thing to be done: God enters his creation as part of it, and without ceasing to be the uncreated God.

God Broke Into The Universe By Choosing To Enter Through A Virgin. This was God’s choice. An angel sent from God to a virgin. God’s way of breaking into the universe was that he would be conceived in the womb of a virgin. God chose to break into the universe by choosing to enter, through a virgin.

God Broke Into The Universe By Choosing For His Son A Legal Human Father
Who Would Be An Heir Of David, The King Of Israel. God broke into the universe not as a generic human being, but as a Jew, in fulfillment of 2000 years of covenant promises so that Israel would glorify God for his truthfulness and all the nations would glorify God for his mercy. He came as the Son of David and as the Son of God — a Jew to vindicate every promise, and a man to identify with every nation.

Even Jesus Was Not Above Simple Circumstances.
When you think of kings, you think of crowns and thrones and palaces...not stables full of smelly farm animals and a feeding trough as a
bed for a newborn baby. Yet Jesus, King of Kings though He is, came into the world in a remarkably simple, lowly, and unassuming way. His birth was the furthest thing from a King’s welcome. Few of us are acquainted with the ways of royalty, and it is hard to even fathom how elaborate and exquisite that lifestyle is. Many more of us, however, can describe in detail what a barn is like. I find this part of the Christmas story so beautiful-- Jesus did not come to earth as a mighty, majestic King who would be intimidating and untouchable. He instead came as an innocent, needy, dependent baby born to parents who were poor and as simply normal as it could be. Everything about the very beginnings of his life on earth was humble and unassuming, giving us a Savior, we can easily relate to and understand, not one who is distant or on a lofty throne. This is such a comforting truth-- we do not have to have prestigious job titles or well-stocked bank accounts or fame to be used by God, because not even His Son required those things.

Matthew 1:23 “Listen! The virgin shall conceive a child! She shall give birth to a Son, and He shall be called “Emmanuel” (meaning “God Is with Us.”) TLB

Christmas - when a God we thought was so very far away came down to where we are, to hold us close. John 6:38 says, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me.” (AMP); John 3:13 says, “No one has gone up into heaven, but there is One who came down from heaven, the Son of Man [Himself – whose home is heaven].” (AMP) Can you imagine Jesus loving us so much to leave His home in heaven to come to earth to see about us?

In fact, the ancient prophecy of the coming Messiah predicted it. And Matthew 1:23 also declares it, "'A virgin shall be with child and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, 'God with us'". Not just God projected on the screen of some church monitor or religious act either. But God right here! God up close and personal! God with us, God in us!

But for many of us, and far too often, however, He has seemed far away. Such as in those distressing moments when you receive the diagnosis; when there was an unexpected lay-off, family death, or loss of housing; those times when you did not see the divorce coming or your finances drastically leaving; Those times when you cry for anything, everything and nothing, and there is not a sole around to wipe your tears, give you a shoulder to lean on or an encouraging word or hug. Truth is, holiday or not, life can be extremely hard sometimes.

Believe It or Not, But Not Everyone Is Smiling, Happy, Filled with Joy, Buying Presents and Holding Their Breath Waiting for Christmas Morning to Arrive. No, There Are Some Who Lost Loved Ones During This Season with Covid-19and other illnesses, And So This Is Their First Year Without Them, and to say the experience is hard, is the understatement of the year! I share this with you because sometimes we are so immersed in the holidays that we assume everyone is just as joyful. But pain and loss have a way of sucking even the carols out of Christmas…Even if only for a little while...

There Are Times in Life When You Cannot Put on Your ‘I’m Alright’ Face. You cannot dance, clap, shout, spin, run and speak in tongue over this one. You cannot dress it up in fancy holiday attire, robes, or crosses. You do not have the eloquent prayers to reach heaven with, not for this one. And out of all the Scriptures you know, pain and loss have a way of making you forget even the simplest of Psalm 23. Sometimes you cannot ‘fake it till you make it.’ Sometimes you cannot attend parties, grin, and smile, and wear your red, and celebrate, even if only for a little while.

Some Are Having Their First Christmas After the Divorce; Others After Their Child Died; Or After Their Parents Have Died, Others After the Doctor Dropped the Cancer Bomb on Them. Then there are others who medicate themselves with alcohol, drugs, or sex. And then there are those who are on prescription meds and still it is hard. Others are suicidal, depressed, lonely, and hurting.

BUT before you think that is how this devotional end, let me correct you…

Listen: Matthew 1:23 reads, "'A virgin shall be with child and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, 'God with us'" Despite what we may have to face here on earth, the one guarantee we have is “God with Us.” Even during trials, struggles, pain, hurt, disappointment and the like, God is still with us! Hebrews 13:5 says, “For He has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!” (AMP) I tell you, there is no greater comfort than God!

Yes, I know it is painful, and still it cannot deprive you of the promise God has made to you to ‘NEVER LEAVE YOU UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES’! Truthfully, we cannot count very many people who could make such a promise and keep it, but Jesus is a Promise Keeper! Even when it feels, seems, sounds, and looks as though He is so very far away, be encouraged, God is Still With YOU! In fact, what I love most about this Scripture is the detail He goes into: “I will never leave you, never desert you, you’ll never be without My support, I’ll never leave you helpless, and I’ll never relax my hold on you”. Does that sound like He is far away? Out of touch? Cannot reach us? Not at all!

And that is what made me smile today! The reminder that no matter how much we hurt, HE will always be with us! And furthermore, our hurt will not last always! Yes, we will cry, we will wonder, we will question, we will hurt…but we will get strong again and recover.

Listen: One of the greatest gifts besides salvation is in knowing that Jesus did not come just to leave! He loves us so much that He is going to return for us, and while He is in heaven, He has loved us once again so much that He could not leave us without comfort! John 14:26, “But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor – Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.” (AMP) We are never without comfort, support, love and strength, Jesus made sure of it!

So, even if you are not at your happiest or your strongest this holiday season, know that you are never alone, and God is not far away, but with you and in you! And please know that it is okay for you to be honest about your hurt and where you really are mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. You have nothing to prove to anyone. And addressing your weakness does not take away His strength. Jesus wept, and so can you!

So, know for certain that it is okay not to be ‘over-flowing’ with the holiday spirit. But also know that you have no need to wallow in dread. Your Immanuel Has Not Left You nor Will He Ever! And He Loves You So Much That Even the Father Intervened to Send a Comforter in His Name to Represent Him. Your God is Never far away! And there are no painful glitches in life that can remove His presence from you. Read His Word, Pray, Praise, and Worship…and cry in your Prayer Closet releasing all your agony to Him. He understands, and He is not going anywhere! Hebrews 4:15 informs us, “For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin.” (AMP) We serve a Savior who knows exactly how it feels to be human! That is why we can tell Him our deepest hurts, weaknesses, and fears, He understands, He cares, He is present there with you and always will be!

Things to Notice When You Read Luke's Christmas Story This Year
This Christmas season, Luke 2 will probably be the most-read passage of Scripture. It tells of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem, the birth of Jesus, the angels’ announcement to the shepherds in the fields, the shepherds’ visit to the stable, and even Jesus’ childhood. This chapter of the New Testament tells the age-old Christmas story, but it is also extremely relevant to our lives today in practical ways.

Here are takeaways from Luke 2 that we can apply to our lives today:

God’s Glory Is Worthy of Our Praise Even when We Feel Afraid.

When the angel of the Lord stood before the shepherds who were keeping watch over their sheep during the night, verse 9 says “they were
terrified.” I would be too! Even though they were afraid and probably trying to make sense of what they were seeing and hearing, wondering if they were dreaming or if this really was happening, the angel’s first words were “Do not be afraid.”

When the Lord Makes a Promise, We Can Trust He Will Keep it
The shepherds heard from the angels that the baby had been born, and they did not doubt it. Verse 15 says, “when the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told
us about.’” They heard the message and immediately acted upon it, never hesitating or questioning what the angel of the Lord had said to
them. We should do the same in our lives. We have Scripture as tangible documentation of the Lord’s promises and truths, and we should act on them without questioning His faithfulness and trustworthiness.

Words from and about the Lord Are to Be Treasured
When the shepherds visited Mary and Joseph and the baby in the manger, verses 17 and 18 say, “they spread the word concerning what
had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” I cannot even imagine what the
shepherds’ stories must have been after seeing the angels in all the glory of the Lord out in the fields, but I know it must have been powerful and beautiful. Verse 19 says, “Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Verse 51 later says, “His mother treasured
all these things in her heart,” after Jesus was found in the temple learning from the teachers. The things Mary heard about her son and the
things she saw Him doing were beautiful treasures to her, and they should be for us as well. The stories we have in Scripture tell us about who Jesus is and what He did on this earth, and we should hold them dear in our hearts.

We Should Make Time to Learn from Those Older than Us
Jesus did this as a child in the temple, painting a beautiful picture for us. Jesus was the all-knowing and all-powerful Son of God, yet even he sat among the temple’s teachers to listen, ask questions, and learn. Verse 47 says, “Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.” Verse 52 later says, “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” He knew as a boy that his elders had wisdom that he could grow from, and he sought it out. We should do the same, seeking the advice and knowledge of those who are more mature and knowledgeable in their faith. We can learn so much from mentors, teachers, and pastors when we listen to their words, ask them questions, and just spend time among them.

Look at Christmas in a new way this year. This is the year to invite Jesus into your heart. You will then have a "Merry Christmas." The joy and
peace you will receive will last all year as you look to God for all your needs to be met.

Why quibble about the timing of Jesus' birth or what traditions have pagan origins? The point is that He was born, and we celebrate the miracle! Let us all celebrate our Awesome Savior who gave us this amazing grace at this holiday time, redeeming the time as the days get shorter. People are more open at Christmas time to hear and receive the love of Jesus more than any other time, in my humble opinion. Let us love and be joyful wholeheartedly as unto the Lord even as we keep our eyes on the skies and whatever we need to leave in 2024, release it and leave it. We need more of Jesus, do not enter 2025 taking on assignments that God did not give to you. We really need refreshing, renewal, refining and reviving.

Blessings

J.P. Olson

www.journeyintotheword.com