“Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping Him with holy fear and awe.” – Hebrews 12:28 (NLT)
Jesus is no longer a baby wrapped in swaddling cloth, lying in a manger in a town called Bethlehem, surrounded by his parents, and animals. He is neither hanging on the cross at Calvary, Golgotha, nor lying in the tomb. After He shed His blood on Calvary for the sins of mankind, He descended into the bowels of hell and seized the keys of death, hell, and the grave – Revelation 1:18 (NIV). At present, He is risen and seated at the right hand of God, our Father, making daily intercession for us – Romans 8: 34 (NKJV).
As we celebrate and commemorate the birth of Jesus this Christmas, let us take cognisance of the fact that we should focus on the eternal Light, Jehovah God, which according to James 1:17 states, “…every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights,…”. Let us also focus on His Son, Jesus, Who in John 8:12 (NIV) declared, “…I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the Light of life”. Let’s allow Him to call us “out of darkness into His marvelous light” – 1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV).
Beloved, Jesus is no longer in the manger. The cross and the tomb are empty. He will return as a consuming fire. His fire will be just and fair; it will justify His own and judge the ungodly. The greatest gift of Christmas is that we can choose which type of fire touches our lives. We can either be touched by the fire of His love and forgiveness through faith, or we can be consumed by the fire of His judgement through our disbelief and dismissal of His great gift. This Christmas, Jesus’s loving arms are opened wide to welcome all of us who choose to accept Him as our Lord and Saviour and soon-coming King.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I (state name) accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. I believe He was crucified on the Cross of Calvary for my sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day. I repent of all the wrong that I have done and pray that You deliver me from every sin and evil habit. Destroy every evil covenant and generational curse that has taken dominion over my life and that of my family. Lord this Christmas, help me to worship You with reverential fear and awe, and let Your consuming fire cleanse me from all unrighteousness, in Jesus’s name I pray. Amen!
Read: Matthew 28:6-7; Revelation 1:18
Bible Reading Guide: Psalms 137; 1 John 3:11-24; 1 John 4:1-6; Daniel 9:20-27; Daniel 10; Daniel 11:1
