There are many communications that we recieve during the Christmas season to help us appreciate the magnitude of the moment. My friend Don Detrick, from the Northwest Ministry Network sent me this a few days ago and I thought I would share it with you.
“The Christmas story offers hope to all people, in all places, for all time. The details of the story show us that God’s purposes are always redemptive. It also shows us that God can use little, insignificant things for significant purposes.
A digit in a telephone number isn’t big, but what a big difference one digit can make when trying to reach a specific party. Little things like keys are seldom thought about until you lose them and find yourself locked out. Little snowflakes create huge avalanches and little viruses can cause major diseases. Two cats and their offspring can produce a total of 17 million cats within nine years! A person who pays attention to the little details will avoid a lot of major problems in life.
On the other hand, most people don’t pay a lot of attention to the little details of life. And it is for this very reason than many people feel they are just another face in a crowd. Not worthless, but not significant either – just average, without much expectation of grandeur.
One of the most significant Bible prophecies about the birth of Christ is about a small town. Micah 5:2 states that Christ would be born in Bethlehem. “But you, Bethlehem, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me, the One to be Ruler of Israel, whose goings forth are from the old, from everlasting.” (Micah 5:2 NKJV) Have you ever felt insignificant like a small number in a world full of billions of number, “little among thousands?” The birth of Christ in Bethlehem illustrates the fact that God can use little, insignificant things for significant purposes.
Most people ignored the baby born 2000 years ago in Bethlehem. And the majority ignores the most important details about Christmas today. It’s not that we aren’t bogged down with details in December. With the rush to buy gifts, attend event, party and travel, we hardly have time to catch our breath. But in so doing we miss the most important details and so miss the significance of the moment. It’s too bad, because those details could make a major difference, an eternal difference in our personal lives.”
This December, remember the most important details, Keep Christ in Christmas. And among the details on your holiday, “to do” list, make sure that you have given all you should have to the ministries of the church. I always remind you at this time of year to make sure that you have “settled up” with God by giving a full tithe of all He has provided for you. I know that this has been a difficult year for many of us. You may feel like your giving is insignificant but when we combine with the faithfulness of others it can be used in significant ways to help us continue God’s mission in our community and around the world. Your focus on the General Fund of the Church would be appreciated. You can give in the offerings in the coming services, through the mail, or online at soundlifechurch.org. All gifts must be received or postmarked by December 31 to receive credit for 2009.
Thank your for your faithfulness and continued prayer and support of Sound Life Church. Have a wonderful Christmas.
Cal