Merry Christmas! You have probably heard this greeting from and spoken it to numerous people over the last few weeks. What makes Christmas merry (and the greeting that goes with it) is not the day, but the person we celebrate on this day. The coming of Jesus brings wonderful greetings to us…good news of great joy for all people.

“You look marvelous!” “This meal you made is delicious!” “You are so smart.” When people say nice things about us we tend to feel better. God tells you, “You are wonderful. I love you so much!” How does that make you feel?

“Season’s Greetings!” Many people say this in order to cover the variety of holidays celebrated this time of year (and not to offend). Some people refuse to use a generic greeting because Christmas is about Jesus. During this Christmas season (actually, it is the season of Advent), we focus on some greetings God sent to specific people that define this season and explore what they mean for our celebration of Christmas.

We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). We would have nothing to give away if God had not first given to us. Understanding this helps us to more freely use and give away what God has given us.

Just do it! Be the man! Git-r-done. These are intended to be motivational phrases. When it comes to joining Jesus on His mission, often the first thing we need to do is get out of our own way so that Jesus can do what He wants to in us and through us.

The only way we can know how to join Jesus on His mission is to learn from Him. What does Jesus do? He watches. He looks for opportunities to show love. He seeks people and brings His kingdom to them. He is “seeker-sensitive.”

Joining Jesus on His mission might seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Remember, Jesus is not asking us to do something for Him but with Him. Jesus is doing the work. When we ask “How?” to join Jesus, it starts with remembering who He is and what He does so that we know who we are and what we do.

The heart of the Reformation was the return to the central message of the Bible: salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. We continue proclaim that message today. The values and tactics that propelled that message forward are also worth considering – an emulating – for the sake of the Gospel!

The heart of the Reformation was the return to the central message of the Bible: salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. We continue proclaim that message today. The values and tactics that propelled that message forward are also worth considering – an emulating – for the sake of the Gospel!