During the Christmas season the heart of our attention seems often to be focused on the coming of King Jesus to this earth, on the joy of birth, on the joy of new life; but unlike the first Adam who was created to live but entered into a contract with the enemy and death, Jesus was born to die so we could enter once again into the life we were created to have! This was the manifestation of the Father’s love for a race of people He created to be like Himself but who went astray. Romans 5:8 explains it this way, “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” That’s right, He loved us so much that He came to die for us, to take our death so we could have His life and be restored! There is no question about His love for us or of His presence being with us; the question is will we reciprocate His love and draw near to His presence. The message delivered by Azariah to king Asa in 2 Chronicles 15:2 is the same message God is sending to us today, “… The Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.” He has come to you, now will you come to Him, set your heart with Him, receive restored life, and be able to face the New Year being filled with His joy and “life from day to day”?
My heart
Selected by Rose Hill, written by Lavinia E. Brouff – copyright unknown
My heart is with the “King of love”,
Who comes to me from realms above.
Whose blessings made my pathway bright,
And crown my life with Christmas light.
With this dear Jesus ever near,
I live in Christmas all the year;
His name unfolds a sacred joy,
Which no dark cloud can ever destroy.
My heart is with the Christmas King,
And of His kindness I can sing;
His birth and love shall be my lay
Throughout my life from day to day.
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Co. used by permission.