Year-Round Christmas

READY

"After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God: 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!'" -- Mark 1:14-15 NIV

SET

It's the day after Christmas. Maybe as a child, this wasn't the saddest day for you, but I know it was for me. No more presents for another 364 days, and the days where we were allowed to sit on the couch in pajamas all day was coming to an end. In college, this day was always the worst for me because it meant I was on the first flight out of Chicago back to UCLA for a 3:00 pm practice. Christmas was over. But now, I see the day after as a day full of so much hope. 

Christmas day may be over, but we get to live into the hope and joy that comes from what Christmas symbolizes every single day of the year. The Christmas story isn't something that just happened a long time ago, on one day. Salvation is here and now; the Kingdom has come near, and the freedom that comes from the truth of the birth of Jesus Christ has no end. Our responsibility is to live out of the faith we have and the salvation we've received. Like it says in Mark 1:15, repent and believe the good news! 

So, as the Advent season ends and we all sadly take down our Christmas trees, let's repent and live like we believe the good news. Let's believe that Jesus came, born of a virgin, to live and to die on a cross so that we may live. This is the truth we cling to, every moment of every day of the year.

GO

• What does it look like for you to live in the reality that salvation is here and now? 
• How can you compete in your sport with salvation in mind?
• How can you spread the hope and joy of the Christmas season throughout the rest of the year?

WORKOUT

Luke 19:8-9; Daniel 2:44

OVERTIME

"Jesus, thank You that You came to this world as the One to be the salvation for our brokenness. Thank You for the hope and joy that comes from the Christmas season. Help me to live with that joy and lean into that hope every day of the year. May I live out of the gift of salvation each day. Amen."

Chrissy Baird Chrissy is from Wheaton, Illinois, and has been involved in FCA for as long as she can remember. Attending Camp when her mom was on staff, as a camper herself, and as a Huddle Leader at camp during her college years. Chrissy played basketball at UCLA from 2014-2019 and is now on staff with FCA working as the College Representative in Santa Barbara at UC Santa Barbara, Westmont College, and Santa Barbara City College.