Spirit – Pastor Pushie

Pastor Pushie urges us all to remember the divinity of Christmas

THE CHRISTMAS PARTY

Christmas has always been my absolute favourite holiday. As a child, the excitement and expectation of gifts and festive food was the most glorious thought imaginable. It’s a holiday I have celebrated every year since I was born, first with my parents, and now as an adult with my own children.

So much effort goes into ensuring the memories last long after the day ends. First, you must decide on the gifts you’ll buy, then plan the Christmas lunch menu and lastly decide where to spend the holiday. It takes quite a lot of time and determination to shop for all the gifts, then to wrap them beautifully and decorate the home in anticipation of the special occasion.

Annual celebrations and religious traditions have long existed. The Bible says that every year, Jesus and His parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover feast of the Jews. And when Jesus was 12 years old, they went once again for the feast and everyone had a wonderful time. When the festivities were over, they returned home but unbeknown to His parents, Jesus stayed behind in the temple. For an entire day, no one noticed that He was missing. Panic set in when they realised Jesus was not with them. In all of the fun and activities, their 12-year-old son was able to get lost for an entire day without anyone the wiser. It is amazing how we can easily become so engrossed in the things that matter the least. I’m not saying don’t have fun. By all means, have a fabulous time. But don’t lose your faith during the festivities. Don’t lose Christ in Christmas. Because when the day is over and all the gifts are forgotten, you will still need the Saviour.

It took three days for them to find Jesus. Can you imagine losing your son for three days? That would be the most traumatic holiday ever. When they finally found Him, He was sitting in the temple, engaging the teachers in the Word of God. While everyone else was having a party, Jesus was listening to the Word of God. When everyone else is eating, drinking and being merry, we’re seeking the calling. We’re hungry for the Word, and thirsty for His presence. Our joy is the church, our party the praise team, our favourite song the worship. Our preferred place the house of the Lord. You see, when what is inside of you is greater than what is around you, you will seek a manifestation of an environment that complements your inner destiny.

I don’t know what 2018 was like for you. It might not have been your greatest year. I don’t know what pain you faced and what loss you experienced. Maybe you lost something along the way, maybe the house didn’t make it, maybe the marriage didn’t make it, maybe the job didn’t make it, but you’re still here. You made it! You made it to December 2018. The people in the grave can’t say it, but you can. So, “Let everything that has breath praise The Lord”. As long as you’re still breathing, there’s still purpose for you. God is not done with you. You can lose anything, but don’t lose your faith. Get your hope back, get your joy back, get your peace back. When the party is over, make sure you still have your purpose.

Make a decision for your future to be better than your past. Don’t waste your life mourning your losses at the expense of celebrating your presents. Life right now is a gift. If you don’t open any other gift this year, open this one – the gift of the present. Receive it, embrace it, and make it count.

LET’S PRAY:

Lord Jesus, forgive me for the times I’ve forgotten you. Thank you for never leaving me even when I walked away from you. Today I rededicate my life to you. I recognise that I cannot do this life without you. I ask you to come into my heart. I want you to be my Lord and my Saviour. Take your rightful place in my life. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

May God bless you and make His face shine upon you. Have a blessed festive season.

Merry CHRISTmas everybody.

Always, Pastor P

If you don’t open any gift this year, open this one, – the gift of the present. Receive it, embrace it and make it count.