Are you a dreamer? I am for sure. I like to imagine how great things could be, would be, etc. I know God gives us dreams. He is perfect and lives in a perfect environment. Since He created us in His image, we have a desire and a longing for perfection. It’s literally put there by our Creator. He assures us in His Word that He puts eternity in our hearts. We may live in what seems like a mess of a world, but we have the desire for perfection. 

So, dream with me today. Take your mind to a place of fields with sheep, shepherds away from their families and hard work looming ahead. Welcome to Bethlehem! I’m sure this night seemed like any other. Wandering sheep, troubles to deal with and much needed rest. Can you imagine how their lives were transformed when an angel appeared and heavenly hosts declared to them the birth of the Savior of the world?! I’m sure nothing in life had prepared them for this moment. Luke 2:10 (NLT) says, “The Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David.” Wow!! Try to get your head around that!! People were expecting the Messiah, but nobody knew exactly when. Why did these shepherds get the very honor of knowing about this first? Should they tell the religious leaders? What should they do? They did what any regular person who just had a supernatural encounter would do. They went to check it out! Sure enough, it was true! The common, every day, hard working man had HOPE! There He was! Jesus, lying before them in the flesh. The Lifegiver and Changer! God had rocked the world this very night and declared it to the very people He created. Put all your theology aside. This was a miracle! Hope had arrived!

1 John 5:20 tells us, “And we know that the Son of God has come, and He has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and He is eternal life.” Don’t miss this!! Don’t stop dreaming. This is so important. He came to have fellowship. He paved the way! The fellowship that our hearts long for that was lost in the garden of Eden has come back through the person of Jesus! All that is required of us is to do exactly what the shepherds did!! Believe that it is true! God declared it to the world that night long ago. He’s still declaring it today. He’s literally offering a Christmas gift that will never expire, never disappoint and has the ability to change your life forever. What a gift!

We absolutely cannot do anything to deserve this wonderful gift. In fact, it’s what we weren’t able to do that deemed it necessary. Isaiah chapter 53 says, “Yet it was our weaknesses He carried; it was our sorrows that weighed Him down. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet, the Lord laid on Him the sins of us all.” He didn’t just arrive so that we could decorate our houses. He came here on a mission! He came to take back what had been stolen. His sheep! We are His if we believe and He wants us with Him where we are kept safe and sound. And like Him, He has given each of us a mission too. All of our gifts and talents vary from one another but they all point in one direction – to Jesus! This is an amazing gift! I know those shepherds were never the same. Life had new meaning. You cannot meet the Messiah and remain the same. He was born of a supernatural means and lived a life of total perfection because we couldn’t. He lived that life for us. He took our place. And if that wasn’t enough, He also took our penalty for a messed up life. He willingly traded His perfection for our imperfection. He allowed it all to be nailed to a cross and crucified it once and for all!

The Bible says, “For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.” Jesus defeated every evil attack this world can throw at us. All we do is accept His life gift. That’s it! 

I hope this Christmas finds you full of wonder and overflowing with thankfulness. We have been given the perfect gift. God knew exactly what we needed. He knew it would fit and it delivers to everyone exactly what they need. Not only does the gift of salvation meet your needs. It meets your wants. We all desperately want hope in this uncertain world. The story of Jesus isn’t just some story to tell. It’s an ongoing life anchored in hope. It’s a remarkable dream come true!

Merry Christmas!

 

Today’s guest writer is Brandi Crowe. A hairdresser for over 25 years, she is currently the owner of Brandi Crowe salon in Buford, GA. She loves hiking, a good cup of coffee, and spending time with family and friends. Brandi lives in a custom farmhouse with her husband Robby and cat Harold. 

 

 

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