By ZOE CANNON
GRATITUDE FOR THE GIFT OF FAITH
“For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).
We received a new Christmas ornament in the mail from a friend. I got teary-eyed when I read the words etched on the front: “Each of us is an Innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus.”
Is there a plan for Jesus in your heart every day? Do you appreciate the reason God chose to become man? “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). How often do we stop to think about the consequences of our actions or words that offend God?
Imagine a world where every person accomplishes what God has planned for his or her life! Scripture stories are filled with the witness of people, good and bad, that reminds us to follow Jesus. My favorite salvation history story is the paralytic and his friends. I believe this is a great Christmas story because these faithful men gave their friend the best gift of all; an opportunity to be healed by Jesus!
“And some men were carrying on a bed a man who was paralyzed; and they were trying to bring him in and to set him down in front of Him. But not finding any way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down through the tiles with his stretcher, into the middle of the crowd, in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, He said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven you” (Luke 5:18-25).
The healing of this man was about the authority to forgive sins because sin is the most deadly paralysis – and separates us from God. He is the only one who gives us life and freedom.
This Christmas, I hope hearts are as prepared for the birth of Jesus as the plans for gift-giving, baking and card-sending. Human beings are innately good; and when someone needs physical help from an accident or natural disaster, people run to their aid.
Yet, there is an epidemic of immorality in our society, and offense to God is something no one wants to talk about. We overlook concerns out of fear of being called judgmental or sanctimonious.
You don’t often find people rushing to give advice or assistance to a friend or family member whose soul is in spiritual peril. There is a crisis of faith, and a missed opportunity for an outpouring of grace when we ignore the severity of sin.
We need friends who will physically let us down through the roof of a house so we can be closer to Jesus! Charitable catechesis is the best gift you can give to those you care about. The knowledge of truth in the teachings of Christ is our hope for healing our sick society.
The Christmas season is a time of celebrating new life for the world. The gospel narratives from Matthew and Luke on the infancy of Jesus help us appreciate that the story was not always about peace and joy.
The prophets and angels affected the story, but only through the obedience of Mary and Joseph to do the will of God. Create hope in God’s plan for prosperity so that disaster does not consume the world.
Joy is the outward sign of hope! Your life is part of God’s plan for this time! Make room for Jesus! Bring Christmas joy into your homes this season! Amen!