What happens the day after a person accepts Jesus as their savior? While the life of the almost-Christian practices the rituals of religion and tries to be nice to other people, the life of a real Christian is characterized by real love - sacrificial, giving love, which can begin only on the full realization that God has first loved us.

On the surface, asking the question, “are you saved?” seems simple - it is a question about the soul. But at different times, Jesus talks about four different kinds of salvation. That’s because Jesus was concerned with the whole person - heart, mind, soul and strength. Salvation is both for the future, and for right now.

The kingdom of God is not a set of correct opinions or beliefs, nor is it a physical destination in the clouds for us to go to when we die. It is a state of the soul. The overriding message of Jesus, and therefore of the whole Bible, is that in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, the kingdom of God has come. Christianity is a religion of the heart.

The beauty of a good home is that it is a place for love and building one another up. Home is about people - those that are with us now, and the ones who have come before. The promise of Christmas is that ultimately, we will get to be with everyone - those we are with now and those with whom we will one day be reunited.

Earth is our home. God made this earth for all of us, and there is no other option or place to go! When God comes home he invites us to join him in making things right again. Our task is to help prepare the way through our love for each other.

Whether we’re children waiting for Christmas morning or adults longing for home, Christmas brings out a wish list in all of us. But wishes are little more than foolish little lies we tell ourselves to make the day better. The difference between wishful sentimentality and confidence in the future is Jesus. The arrival of God incarnate is the basis for a hope that cannot be shaken. The Prophets weren’t fools, and neither are we.

Ever since our original habitat and fellowship with God was broken, God has been calling us home. Because Jesus came to Earth at Christmas, we can indeed go home again. And in the end, we will be at home in a new heaven and a new earth, with no more suffering nor memory of it, where we are present and at peace with God and one another.

In the middle of several stories in Matthew’s gospel about meeting people in their place of need, Jesus stops the most selfish man in town and challenges him to learn what it means to give. When we give, we see that God does more than give us things in return - God is giving himself, through his son Jesus and through the Holy Spirit, who reshapes our hearts to be like Christ’s. Our generosity becomes a reflection of the love, sacrifice and self-emptying of the Creator, who is the source of all gifts.

Paul describes the church as an interconnected organism in which nutrients benefit the whole body and not just one part. While our motivation to give may begin with our own needs, we soon discover that the need is great, and when we give, we help others. As Jesus says, “The size of the harvest is bigger than you can imagine, but there are few workers. Therefore, plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out workers for his harvest.”

While it may seem counter to the selflessness Jesus aspires us to attain, why we give begins with our own story. Just as people asked Jesus for help, and he responded with compassion, why we give may begin with us - for the betterment of our loved ones, our families and friends, and ourselves. Be encouraged! Jesus loves us and meets us in our places of need.