Adventure of a Missionary

Not everyone is looking forward to celebrating Christmas just like the others. There's going to be an empty seat at their table now. Some with an empty space under their Christmas tree. Some with wet pillowcases and broken hearts. It's hard for some people to celebrate this season, so my prayer for today is that we might be more sensitive and show compassion, comfort and understanding to those struggling. To those of you seeing Christmas as a time not of joy but of sorrow and in grief, this is my prayer for you: Lord, thank You for understanding those who are hurting right now. It could be because of loss, illness, lack, or brokenness. We know that tears are more than enough to communicate with You. Thank You because You are the God of Comfort, the God where they can cast all their anxieties because You care for them. Help them see that You are with them, not rushing their feelings and never pressuring them to do more than what they can at this time. You said in Your Word that ...

  He came to heal us.  He came to give us good news.  He came to show us that we were not alone, not on our own.  He let us know that we had a Father who cared and loved us.  He came to show us kindness and grace.  He came so we can exist in peace with God, with ourselves, and with others.  He came to change the course of history.  He came to change B.C. to A.D. He did it all for you and He did it all for me.  He is Love, and Love is not selfish.  He didn't come demanding anything.  He came to give all that He has. The message of Christmas is not a message that asks anything of us.   It's a message of God loving the whole world, all of us.  It's a message of God's benevolence, His initiative, and His willingness to give peace and goodwill to all.   From our perspective, Jesus is the reason for the season, but from His perspective, we are His reason for the season.  Just as we make it all about Jesus, He has mad...

 The holiday season is expected to look different for many this year. For some, it will be their first time having a Christmas while going through a break up.  There will be someone grieving the loss of a loved one. There will be someone going through the holiday season without a job. There will be some who will spend Christmas Eve ill in the hospital.  We should try our best to be kind to others, to be extra sensitive to our friends, and to invite those who need a family to be part of our holiday celebrations this year.  I would like to encourage you to be the gift that someone truly needs. Remember that the best gift you can ever give is your presence.

It's sad that Jesus wasn't welcomed by the people who should have been the first to do so. It's a sad fact. But we can learn something from the history of Jesus coming into the world. Let's look at those who didn't welcome Him. Why didn't they welcome Him? What was it that made them not ready? Why didn't the Israelites welcome Him? Those who received prophecy, laws, and the message that Jesus is sent to the lost sheep of Israel were the first people to receive Jesus. What happened? Why didn't they welcome Him? In Matthew 2:2, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him"  They were troubled instead of excited. All of Jerusalem was in fear and anxiety. Herod was worried because he was the king of the Jews back then. He'd done a lot for them. They recognized him as king, so here was somebody to...