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Pray that God will fill the Slavic believers with a hunger for His Word: "Desire the sincere milk of the Word" (1 Peter 2:2), and a spirit of prayer: "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Ask God to call many young men and women to serve Him sacrificially and sincerely in places of leadership. Pray that some will choose to serve in other Slavic countries as missionaries. Intercede for the Christian leadership in Eastern Europe that they will withstand the powers of darkness and remain stable in their spiritual roles. |
Who is this Jesus whose birth we celebrate at Christmas?
How do we usually celebrate the birthday of a family member, or friend? Do we pull out their baby pictures and celebrate them as infants? Of course not! Instead, we celebrate them as they are today – their achievements and who they have become.
Is thisa mere happenstance? Or, is itan intentionalploy of the Enemy who wants to weaken the impact of Jesus' life, His ministryand His sacrifice on the cross in the eyes of mankind?
To be sure, the story of Jesus' birth is supernatural.An angel informs Mary that she was chosen to be the mother of the long-awaited Messiah. An angel appears to Joseph in a dream confirming the message given to Mary. An angel, accompanied by a great company of the heavenly host praising God, announces Jesus' birth to shepherds guarding their flocks in the field. These appearances of angels tend to make the story of Jesus' birth seem magical.Thedanger is that they can overshadowthe real significance of His birth and its implications for our lives
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The importance of Jesus' birth lies in the fact that He was the incarnate Son of God – God in human flesh. He dwelt among us in order to experience our human plight. Thismakes Him the perfect High Priest capable ofintercedingon our behalf before our Heavenly Father.
Christmas celebrates the fulfillment of God's promise, made to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden immediately after their fall, to send a Redeemer who will bring about a reconciliation and make possible for sinful man to return into the presence of a holy God.What,then,would be a proper way to celebrate Jesus' birth, which is the real reason for the Christmas Season?
A true Christmas celebration would require that we keep the following historical facts in focus:
1) Jesus' triumph over sin and Satan
2) Jesus' sacrifice on our behalfinfant o
3)Jesus' victory over death
4)Jesus' promised return
5) Jesus' enthronement as a "fait accompli"
6) The eventual triumph of the kingdom of God
These achievements of Jesus on our behalf should be first and foremost in our thoughts as we celebrate Christmas. Sadly, even for many Christians, Jesus remains the"Eternal Infant," adored at Christmas time but ignored during the rest of the year. Once Christmas passes "Baby Jesus" is put back into the closet along with the rest of the Christmas ornaments until the next Christmas.
It seems that people have always felt more comfortable with Jesus as an Infant, harmless and helpless. Otherwise, as the Infinite God He may challenge our piety and revealour spiritual duplicity. Even more frightening is the possibility thatHe may lay a claim upon our lives.Throughout the centuries people have been threatened by Him who proclaimed Himself to be the Way, the Truth and the Life.
According to the confession of the ap.Peter in Caesarea Philippi (Matt.16:16), celebrating the birth of Jesus we celebrate the appearance of the "Son of the Living God." Does our Christmas celebration in any way reflect this fact?
Christmas is also a reminder of the Final Harvest – the end of the age - when Jesus once again shall appear on earth. When He does return it will not be as a helpless Infantlying in a manger, at the mercy of sinful man. Jesus will return to earth with power and great glory to reclaim the kingdom thatis rightfully His and to redeem those whom He purchased with His own blood.Christmas encourages us to examine our response to Jesus' claim upon our lives.
It may be time to rethink how we celebrate Christmas! May the celebration of Jesus' birth fill our hearts with joy, peace and hope.
Source: Dr. George Boltniew as written in the December 2013 Newsletter of the Evangelical Baptist Church of Union, New Jersey.
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Pray that the Gospel will reach the millions in the Slavic countries that have not yet heard what Christ has done for them. Many small cities and towns still do not have an official place of worship. Ask God to help the Slavic churches be effective witnesses in their neighborhoods. Pray that souls will continue to be saved, baptized and discipled through the ministries of the church. Pray that the Holy Spirit powerfully and persistently will convict men of sin and lead many to believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. |