WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT
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Christmas
28 D E CE MB E R
THE BEST GIFT EVER Wonderful Saviour, help us not to keep Your love to ourselves. Renew our passion to share the gospel with others; even those whom we’ve stopped sharing with. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit so we can be a powerful witness for Jesus. Amen
1 PET ER 3: 8–16 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For, 8
‘Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. 11 They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.’ Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. ‘Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.’ 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 13
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t a men’s winter retreat one of the men asked the question, “What was your favourite Christmas gift ever?” One guy seemed eager to answer. “That’s TO EVERYONE WHO easy,” he said, glancing at his friend next to him. “A few years back, I thought I was a sure ASKS YOU TO GIVE bet to play professional football. When it THE REASON FOR THE didn’t happen, I was angry. Bitterness ate at me, and I shared that bitterness with anyone HOPE THAT YOU HAVE. who tried to help.” 1 PETER 3:15 “On the second Christmas—and second season without football—I went to a Christmas play at this guy’s church,” he said, gesturing towards his friend. “Not because I wanted Jesus, but just to see my niece in her Christmas nativity. It’s hard to describe what happened because it sounds silly, but right in the middle of the nativity, I felt like I needed to be with those shepherds and angels meeting Jesus. When that crowd finished singing ‘Silent Night,’ I just sat there weeping. I got my best Christmas present ever that very night,” he said, again pointing to his friend, “when this guy sent his family home without him so he could tell me how to meet Jesus.” It was then that his friend piped up: “And that, guys, was my best Christmas present ever.” This Christmas, may the joyful simplicity of the story of Jesus’ birth be the story we tell to others. The best Christmas gift is Jesus bringing peace and forgiveness to others. o RANDY KILGORE
ALWAYS BE PREPARED TO GIVE AN ANSWER
Read today’s passage again. What is the reason for your hope in Christ? How has this journey to the heart of Christmas reignited your hope? And who can you share this with?
Father, give us eyes to see those who need a Saviour and the courage to tell them about Him. Help us remember that hearing and telling the story of Your Son is the real reason for this season.
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