Invite someone to join the celebration

“And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.‘“ Luke 12:2 ESV

When my friend, Jill, expressed dread over her upcoming 50th birthday recently, I got excited. “Hey,” I said to her smiling. “I’m turning 49 two weeks before your birthday. Why don’t we celebrate both of them in style by running 50 miles just for the heck of it?” And by God’s grace, this crazy runner friend and I not only completed the race but, with the help of many friends and volunteers, turned it into a fundraiser that raised several hundred dollars for a local charity. Talk about celebrating in style! At our invitation, runners from everywhere showed up to help us commemorate the anniversary of our births in a way that was much bigger than she and I could have ever imagined.

And you know, when it comes to births, do you realize that the Savior of the world came in a way that was way smaller than anyone could have ever imagined? Think about it. The Son of God who reigned in heaven, came to earth as “a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger” in a stable unfit for a King in a little town of Bethlehem more than 2,000 years ago. Can you just fathom it? Jesus traded royalty for the deepest poverty! Oh what love He had for you and me to have left His throne to meet us - sinners in need of redemption - where we are.

So this Christmas, let’s celebrate the birth of Jesus in style by inviting all those who haven’t heard the Message of Salvation that the birth and death of Jesus Christ fulfilled to come and celebrate with us at church or in our homes. The invitation could literally change their destiny.

Heavenly Father, thank You sending your Son to be born in a lowly manger to remind us that You came to save us all and that you value each and every one of us the same no matter how we are viewed in the eyes of the world. Help us to love others as sacrificially as You did Lord that we would want not only to see them saved but would go to the ends of the world to do it. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

He made a way in a manger