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by Greg Laurie
Merry Christmas to all of you!
Christmas is a day of joy. On that first Christmas night, while the shepherds kept watch over their flocks, the angel brought this good news: "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people" (Luke 2:10).
This is how heaven celebrated the first Christmas. On this holy night, in effect, heaven momentarily came to earth. Heaven and earth are always co-existing, but sometimes they can seem worlds apart and other times separated by only a thin veil. When tragedy hits, when illness prevails, heaven can sometimes seem distant.
But when we join the angels in worship, and see God in His greatness, heaven can seem so very, very close. For us as believers, we are just a heartbeat away from heaven right now. As David put it, "There is but a step between me and death" (1 Samuel 20:3).
Christmas in heaven is better than Christmas on earth. It is pure bliss. Not twinkling lights, but the radiant light of heaven itself. Not metal angels on trees, but real, holy angels of God all around.
You see, in heaven there is peace. On earth there is war. In heaven there is perfect harmony. On earth there is often friction among family and friends. In heaven, feasting and perfection. On earth there is fattening food and expanding waistlines.
We don't need to sorrow for our loved ones who are celebrating Christmas in heaven, but we do sorrow for ourselves over their absence.
Today, however, remember to let the ones on earth you love know it. Tell them verbally. Because you never know if you or I or someone we hold dear might be in heaven next Christmas.
So have a blessed and merry Christmas day.
Copyright ©2011 by Harvest Ministries. All Rights Reserved.
See Also:
Do Not Be Afraid
Have you ever felt overwhelmed or even afraid of what God has called you to do? Maybe you were pursuing a dream or goal and things didn’t turn out the way you planned. Joseph had planned to take Mary as his wife, but when he found out she was pregnant, he didn’t know what to think.The Focus Of Our Message
Never be sympathetic with a person whose situation causes you to conclude that God is dealing harshly with him. God can be more tender than we can conceive, and every once in a while He gives us the opportunity to deal firmly with someone so that He may be viewed as the tender One.Are you ready to be laid in the manger?
There are a lot of people around us who are without food, shelter, clothes, and many other necessities. Are you ready to be laid in the manger so that the needy can share your food, shelter, clothes etc.
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