[From Heaven to the Hay in the Heart] Part 3Sample

Christmas Outside Your Heart

The Christmas story in the Bible is a very personal matter. It is still one of the major events the world has ever seen. It was a very personal experience for all who took part in it. It was very personal for Mary and Joseph, for the shepherds, and for John the Baptist´s mother, Elizabeth. The Gospel of Luke tells us that Simeon, a righteous man who was waiting to see the Messiah, went to the temple and found Jesus. He took Jesus in his arms and praised God. Anna, the prophetess, also found Jesus in the temple along with His parents. As she saw the Lord, she began to praise God and to speak about Jesus to everyone who was waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. Anna did not keep that encounter to herself; she witnessed to all who were waiting for the Messiah to come to redeem them. Meeting the Savior impacted these persons in a very personal and spiritual way. Meeting Jesus Christ provoked an extraordinarily strong and positive reaction, one that changed their lives forever. Christmas will continue to elicit praise in the hearts of those who are thankful for their redemption and who now wait for the return of the Savior.

Many people have grown weary of the Christmas message and even bored, since they know the story very well. Sadly, that story has not entered their hearts; it remains outside, so their hearts are dirty and hopeless. Jesus lay on the hay, waiting to fulfill His mission, to be born in our hearts. He is still waiting for us to come to Him just as we are. Let’s not stop at the hay. Let’s see the Savior on the hay. Only He can make us clean.

If Christmas is only on the outside, it is a façade. We do many things except what Christmas is all about: surrender to God, worship, gratitude, and praise. 

We must seek what is valuable. A woman may have the ring, but if she does not have the groom, the ring loses its value and importance. For many, Christmas has become like a bride with a ring but without the groom. The day is coming, and very soon, when many believers will see the Groom, the Lord Jesus Christ, appear on the clouds to meet His bride. He is longing to meet her. He is longing to meet us. 

Come to Him! Hear the Spirit and the bride call you to come and taste the living water.