No Time for Christmas

Have you ever had a “Paul like” moment? 

Well, maybe it’s not exactly one like he spoke of in Romans 7 where he continued to do things he didn’t want to do, but it sort of went against my character of not putting myself into certain situations if I can help it.

For example, the very thing I don’t like to do I found myself doing … grocery shopping on a Saturday morning!  Contrary to what I wanted, we had to make the trek and changed our plans.  Bundling in layers of clothing we cranked up the car heater and headed off to the store.

It was bitter cold out so my husband insisted on dropping me off at the door in front of the store before circling around to find parking.  We agreed that I would sit on a bench near the restrooms and wait for him. 

Busy, Busy, Busy

Serpentining through the crowd I walked toward the bench, and for reasons which only God knows, I started talking out loud.  

“Wow, why is it so packed here?  The place is so busy!”

A worker who happened to be walking by answered, “It’s the third … social security checks were issued.”  Not expecting anyone to actually respond I said, “Oh.”

Locating the bench near the rest rooms, I was surprised that no one was sitting on it, especially due to the amount of people in the store.  I settled in and took a quick look in all directions to see what was happening. 

“Ooops … that can’t be good.”  This time I was only thinking it as the store went dark losing power three times!  Suppose it was from all the money they were making at the checkouts that the computers couldn’t keep up with it?  I guess we’ll never know.  We did see several armored vans and police cars out front … hmm.

Shutting Out Christmas

To my right was a small rectangular table with a stack of forms and a laptop computer.  A well-dressed woman from the Medicare office (an insurance company selling supplement policies) was situated behind it in anticipation of a prospective new client.

Shortly after a middle-aged lady looking disheveled and weary, approached her area with a few questions confessing that she was almost in tears when Facebook shut down for several hours.  Her life was getting too complicated and insurance was the last thing she wanted to discuss.

The agent and the customer struck up a conversation based on the fact that they were both 57 years old and had husbands that needed surgery. Neither of them looked their age; one looked younger the other much older.  You can probably guess which was which.

Not that I was eavesdropping, but it was impossible not to hear the conversation with sitting only a few feet away from the impromptu station. Turning my body sideways away from them, I kept looking around the room so it didn’t appear I was tuned in to what was being said.  Frankly I doubt the customer even noticed anyone else, because of her one-on-one attentive audience.

Back and forth the two ladies debated about the insurance policies and their families.  However, the saleswoman couldn't get a word in edgewise that her husband needed his arm “rebuilt” and she never got to explain what that meant either. Every time the Medicare agent’s mouth opened the woman standing went into a tailspin over her home life situation turning the conversation back to her.

Patiently the insurance lady sat there and let the woman spill everything that was on her mind about her family.  Her point was made clear … she had basically shut out Christmas and everything else.

No Time for Christmas

Her voice heightened, repeating the conversation she told her grown children earlier that day. 

“There will be no holiday, because I don’t have the time.

Come get your gifts and leave because I can't take care

you and your father. I don’t have time to do Christmas.”

Oh my … the turmoil that she must be dealing with in making decisions and trying to please everyone.  Unlike Christians, “Christmas” as the world knows it isn’t a time of comfort and joy, or peace that the angels proclaimed with the birth of the Savior Jesus despite the complications in life.  At least it wasn’t for her family this year. 

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, 

good will toward men!” (Luke 2:14 KNV)

Had she ever experienced Emmanuel – God with her?  On the other hand, if she was a child of God had she forgotten that CHRISTmas is with her ALL the time?  Through Him she would have the strength needed, regardless of whatever day it was? 

 "Christ is the One who gives me the strength I need to do whatever 

I must do." (Philippians 4:13 ERV)

This Too Shall Pass

Listening to their conversation I was humbled by the favor of God on my life and the peace I receive knowing that His grace and mercy encompasses me.  For the past month (November) it has been a revolving door between the hospital and doctor's offices for my husband.  Literally we had only four days unscheduled on the calendar which contributed to not being able to post as usual.

My husband was placed on a list for emergency surgery and we were preparing for it.  On Tuesday, November 27^th he was in so much pain that he couldn't do anything.  

All the signs pointed toward more kidney stones, but after tests the urologist couldn't find anything on the x-rays and felt it vital for hubby to have a CT-scan and undergo immediate surgery. The doctor explained that some of his medications can affect other organs so he needed answers that only an operation could provide.

This meant getting off heart medicine for a short time which wasn't the issue, giving those nasty three-foot long (not really but he says they feel like it) Lovenox self-injections were. Not only are they extremely painful but super expensive as well. Insurance only covers a fraction of the cost and he would need six of them.

If the doctor got in there and saw nothing it would all be a waste of money, but even more it would be putting my husband at an unnecessary risk. The whole thing was unsettling in my spirit and I felt that rushing this was all getting ahead of God.  Instead, we prayed.  We prayed fervently!

God heard our prayers!  Wednesday, the following day, hubby passed three kidney stones with absolutely no pain! People had been praying for his health and over our medical expenses (finances). I would tell you the story about the stones but he won't let me. It's absolutely hilarious!

Waiting for A Good Report

With the situation now changing, neither of us felt right in our spirits about the surgery even though the doctor still wanted to go through with it based on hubby's past history.  Our next appointment would reveal the deciding factor. Now we had to wait over the weekend.

Monday morning after having the CT scan done at the hospital, we met with the urologist surgeon - or should I say his Nurse Practitioner. All the tests came back with "good reports" so the surgeon canceled the operation passing the case on to his co-worker who said with a smile, "See you in six months!"

While listening to the ladies in the grocery store battle over their husbands it made me sad and happy at the same time.  I wanted each of them to hear good reports as well, but sensed that they weren’t counting on it.

I was so happy to have heard a good report for my husband, but sad that neither of them made room for "Christ-mas" to work in their lives. The events, circumstances, situations and issues of life caused them to shut out Christmas, the very thing they needed to help get through it all. Did they even know that “Christ”-mas favor was available to them for the asking?

Angels Declare Peace

Earlier we looked at a verse in Luke 2 from the King James translation.  I’d like for us to re-examine that passage to help us understand why favor is a part of Christmas that shouldn’t be shut out of the celebration.

If we read Luke 2:14 from the Amplified translation, which is claimed to be the closest to literal Hebrew or Greek, we can see that there is a greater promise to those who choose to believe that Jesus is God’s Son.

“Glory to God in the highest [Heaven], and on earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased [men of goodwill, of His favor]. (Luke 2:14 AMPC)

When the angels made this declaration, they weren’t referring to physical peace on earth between the race of man, but rather a spiritual peace.  The peace they were declaring was that through Jesus, salvation had come to earth for those who believe in the Son of God.  Only through Him would there be peace between God and mankind.

“For Christ Himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in His own body on the cross, He broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.

He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating

 in Himself one new people from the two groups." 

(Ephesians 2:14-15 NLT)

Good will, eudokia in Greek (pronounced yoo-dok-ee’-ah) means God’s good pleasure.  It is His good pleasure to give favor because of His delight, happiness in the relationship He has with man/woman.

The birth of Jesus brought happiness to God because through His Son redemption was being satisfied so mankind could be reconciled back to Him.  Can you imagine this?  How do you feel when your family relationships are thriving and in right standing?  Good … right?

As His children are redeemed back into His Kingdom through salvation, peace is restored between God and His creation in whom He gives free favor, grace from and over sin and death.

“And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we [actually] saw His glory (His honor, His majesty), such glory as an only begotten Son receives from His father, full of grace 

(favor, loving-kindness) and truth.”

 (John 1:14 AMPC)

Christmas Favor is on Earth

What the angels were proclaiming was essentially Christmas Favor has come to earth in flesh form through Jesus, the Christ the Anointed child.  When Jesus was born, the fullness of grace (favor, truth and love) became fixed in our lives as it was from the beginning of Creation.

“Glory to God in the highest [Heaven], and on earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased [men of goodwill, of His favor]. (Luke 2:14 AMPC)

Good will favor from God requires something to be done by faith alone in The Messiah.  God’s good pleasure or good will isn’t available to an unbeliever, so peace will never be a part of their lives.  It can’t be because Jesus is the Prince of Peace and without Him there will never be peace with God.

For us to not make time for Christmas based on circumstances (no matter what they are) is really removing peace, favor and mercy from our lives.

All Our Troubles

Preparing for any holiday can be taxing on emotions, with making sure everything falls into place.  Friends, I know it can be difficult, even seem impossible, but the last thing we need to do is cross Christmas (the real reason for celebrating) off our to-do lists.

Understanding that finding favor from the Lord is something we need daily and is important if our prayers are to be answered. My husband and I didn't start praying when his pain began, but fellowship with the Lord daily.  We make time for Christ-mas (Christ the Messiah who saves, heals and delivers) each day through joint prayer, biblical study and worship.

When believers include Christ in their lives, God equips them with what is needed for the time at hand.  It may not be easy, but He is always there to help us as we go through the “storms” that come with living.

The Bible tells us that when a believer cries out to the Lord, He hears us and delivers us from all our troubles (Psalm 34:4-5). When my Pastor quotes that verse, he poses it like this:

          Pastor: How many?

          Congregation: All.

          Pastor: Some?

          Congregation: All.

          Pastor: A few.

          Congregation: All.

          Pastor: All our troubles.

Our Christmas Challenge: 

Make Time for Christmas

There’s no denying that we love all the holiday lights, music, decorations, and home coming celebrations that add to our joy of the season.   Yet as the events and festivities rush through our day, don’t forget to make time for the Who in Christmas – Jesus.

Those ladies in the store found it easy to share their burdens with one another, but found no real peace, comfort or answers when their conversation ended.  They weren’t looking for a Savior that was born in Bethlehem, but their hope was in doctors or something else.

What are you facing right now? Instead of shutting out Christ making no time for Christmas, call out to Him. 

The Deliverer has already come and conquered any problem you will ever face.  When things start to get busy, stop and remember you are surrounded by God's grace, mercy and favor. As His child these blessings are with you all year round not only at Christmas, but because of Christmas!

God sent a Messiah, His name is Christ-mas (Christ the Anointed Messiah - He redeems, saves) to deliver us from the works of the enemy.  It is His good pleasure that you live in peace, joy and love through the gift of grace and favor.

“Glory to God in the highest [Heaven], and on earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased [men of goodwill, of His favor]. (Luke 2:14 AMPC)

Christmas is all about You by Mallary Hope

Until next time, remember how Christ-mas brought us favor.

"Make time for My favor."

- Jesus Christ

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Take Time for Christmas 

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*Unless noted, the names in articles are changed to protect the individual(s) privacy.

Note: Emphasis may be given in some scriptures to show clarity or understanding and is not to take away from the inspirited Word of God.

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Labels: Angels, Birth of Jesus Christ, Christmas Challenge, Daily Favor Blog, Evangelism, Favored1, Glad Tidings, Holidays, No Time for Christmas, Salvation, Tidings of Great Joy, Weekly Challenge.