Speaker: Sis. Techie Rodriguez ,Elder, The Lord's Flcok Catholic Charismatic Community

“ Preparations for Christmas”

C hristmas is a season of merry-making, dining, and gift-giving. There is nothing wrong with these practices but if these are all that Christmas means to us, then we are missing its true significance.

C hristmas is the advent or coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We should prepare for the coming of Christ, not only on Christmas Day but on every day of our life! We should prepare to welcome Jesus and let the Lord be with us!

H ow do we prepare for Christmas? How do we welcome Christ and let him be with us?

I. P ray, Give Thanks Continuously, and Claim our Privileges as Children of God.

W hen we pray unceasingly, God listens. “God did hear and listened to my voice in prayer. Blessed be God, who did not refuse me the kindness I sought in prayer.” (Psalms 66:19-20).

F or us, children of God who prays continuously, there are many benefits or blessings that we can claim:

1. A n inheritance we can never lose. W e are children of God. “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” (Romans 8:14). As God's children, we are “heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.” (Romans 8:16-17). Our “inheritance is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading.” (1 Peter 1:3-5).

A s children of God, we should act as heirs of God. We should not be afraid of the world's hatred and persecution (John 15:18 -21). We have the promise of Jesus that if we suffer with him, we will be victorious. (Romans 8:17).

2. A n unlimited grace from God . G od's grace is sufficient for us. St. Paul begged the Lord three times to remove a thorn in the flesh; but the Lord said “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9). When we have trials and sufferings, let us surrender to the Lord. God's grace is unlimited; it is more than sufficient for us to be victorious.

3. B ounty that cannot be withdrawn . G od has given us, as his children, a bounty, or gift, that cannot be withdrawn. It is for us to enjoy and use forever. “So let no one boast about human beings, for everything belongs to you, Paul or Apollos or kephas, or the world or life or death, or the present or the future: all belong to you, and you to Christ, and Christ to God.” (1 Corinthians 3:21-23).

4. P eace that cannot be destroyed. “ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” (John 14:27). Peace is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22 ).

A s children of God, we have peace that comes when we trust the Lord completely. We know that God is watching over us so that we have no fear, no anxiety; we are not troubled.

P eace is a benefit that enables us to sleep well. With peace, we do not become slave of problems; we offer our problems to the Lord.

5. H onor, dignity, and value given to us by God, the Father, through Jesus. “The Father will honor whoever serves me.” (John 12:26). There are so many benefits to children of God who serve him. We have the right connection to the Lord. We have no basis nor right to complain.

L et us use and enjoy our privileges as children of God. Let us never doubt our power of sonship.

6. J oy that never diminishes . J oy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22 ). The Lord wants that his joy might be in us and our joy might be complete. (John 15:11).

W hatever are the circumstances in our life, let us have a joyful spirit. Even if we have a problem, we should be full of joy. We should not let Satan steal our joy.

W e should not fret. Rejoice always! (Philippians 4:4). We know that God is in control; He can make things beautiful in any situation. Let us rejoice; we are more than conquerors everytime we fight a battle against Satan.

7. A hope that cannot be disappointed . W e are “strongly encouraged to hold fast to the hope that lies before us. This we have as an anchor of the soul, sure and firm.” (Hebrews 6:18-19).

G od's promise is immutable {unchangeable} (Hebrews 6:13ffg). We anchor our hope on God's promise that He will make all things right and beautiful in his time. We should not despair; we should hold on to hope and to God's promise.

“F aith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1). As God's children, we have hope that cannot be disappointed.

8. A nearness to God that cannot be withdrawn. A person near to God has a powerful prayer. “The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful.” (James 5:16).

W e should remain close to God all the time. “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7).

L et us communicate with the Lord regularly. We have been given the privilege to call God “Abba, Father.” Let us approach the throne of God with boldness. With our nearness to God, let us also pray and intercede for others and use this help in order to invite and attract others to join our Community. “So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God.” (Ephesians 2:19). What a privilege to be joint heirs, residents of heaven; and members of God's family! We are truly children of God!

9. A salvation that can never be cancelled. “Son, though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered ; and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.” (Hebrews 5:9),

J esus has come to save us. For all who believe in him and who obey him, He has given the greatest gift of eternal salvation – a gift beyond cancellation!

II. M ake Room For Jesus In Our Hearts.

F or Joseph and Mary, “there was no room for them in the inn.” ( Luke 2:7).

T his Christmas, do we gave a room in our hearts for our Lord Jesus to enter and stay? Jesus may be standing at our door and knocking (Revelations 3:20 ). Are there “no vacancy” signs posted on our doors? Are we too pre-occupied with festivities and business that we cannot let Jesus enter our hearts? Let us make room for our Lord to enter and be enthroned!

III. M ake God Our Number 1.

L et us make God our number 1 priority in our life. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.” ( Matthew 6:33).

L et us give God the honor that He deserves. Let us make him number 1 in everything. He has priority over our family, over our business, over everything else. When we make God number 1, we will be blessed with all the benefits of sonship.

IV. G ive God Only The Best.

L et us give God only the best. Like David, let us not offer to the Lord something that costs nothing (2 Samuel 24:24). Let us give God our best!

G od gave us lavishly by giving his only begotten Son (John 3:16 ) for our eternal salvation. He will also give us everything else along with him. (Romans 8:32). His graces are abundant and sufficient for us (2 Corinthians 12:9). His glorious riches are boundless and infinite. (Philippians 4:19).

W e should give to God in a similar manner – lavishly – only the best!

S t. Paul urges us to offer to God our body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. (Romans 12:1). Let us renew our mind (verse 2) and make ourselves available for service to God. Let us offer to the Lord our whole being: body, soul, and spirit. This is the best gift we can ever offer to God!

V. B e Like A Shining Star.

T he three magi [kings] from the east saw the star; they were overjoyed. (Matthew 2:10).

J esus is the light of the world. (John 8:12). His light shines in us. As renewed Christians, there is no more darkness in us unless we grieve the Holy Spirit. We should remain supplied with the spiritual light of Jesus. We should stay as a shining star to share our own light with others in darkness. We should keep in constant fellowship with Jesus to continue reflecting his light to the world.

VI. R ejoice In The Lord Always.

C hristmas is a season for rejoicing. Receiving blessings is a reason for rejoicing. Everyday of the year is a time of rejoicing. Whatever is the occasion or circumstance, we should rejoice always. (Philippians 4:4). As children of God, let us be joyful all the time!