READ: John 1:1-14
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
KEY THOUGHT:
While it’s quite easy to get up in the commercial busy-ness of the Christmas season, we must be wary of doing so because it can lead to selfish and sometimes offensive actions. The spirit of Christmas is not found in the cares of this world or in ourselves. The true spirit of Christmas is revealed in its ministry to others, which includes giving as demonstrated through God’s own gift to us, His Son Jesus Christ.
It’s appropriate for us to be careful to remember that there’s a ministry reason for the Christmas season and it stems from Jesus’ original ministry on earth. Understanding Christ’s ministry helps us keep Christ first in our hearts and in our testimony before others, especially at Christmas.
Looking at today’s passage from John 1, we find the ministry of Christ revealed as the bringer of light into a darkened world. The light is shared by others through the gospel. When we carry the gospel to others through word and through deed, we help carry out the ministry of Christmas.
There are three things we can see from this passage that helps us understand the ministry of Christmas:
- Jesus was born into this world to be the light.
- We are born into the family of God by faith.
- We must bear witness of the light to others by carrying the light of the gospel to them.
Let’s follow the example of Christ and make the season about ministering to others by bringing light into darkened lives, which is the most meaningful representation of the true spirit of Christmas.
CONSIDER?
- What gets the most attention at Christmas, giving gifts or receiving gifts? Why?
- If you were to give the best possible gift to someone in need, what would it be?
- Describe how you can minister to others this Christmas through giving.
APPLICATION:
Be willing and prepared to perform the ministry of sharing the gospel with others this Christmas!
