Faith's Priorities at Christmas

It only takes a moment to re-center your faith’s priorities on what will matter for all eternity. Does that sound a bit difficult if your Christmas Day seems full of chaos? Perhaps your day hasn’t been that bad, but right now it’s pretty stressful. This can be the time for you to refocus and think of who Jesus is and what He means to you.

God’s Word whispers that His name is “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace.” Re-center your mind of these names and let them find a resting place in your heart. Jesus said, “My peace I give you,” and his strong peace is for eternity. What a wonderful gift! Now God bless and keep you, and Merry Christmas!   

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For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,

And the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

~Isaiah 9:6 New International Version

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

~Luke 2:11 New International Version

Then God gave Christ the highest place and honored his name above all others.

~Philippians 2:9 Contemporary English Version

I pray that out of the glorious riches of his resources he will enable you to know the strength of the Spirit’s inner reinforcement – that Christ may actually live in your hearts by your faith.

~Ephesians 3:16-17 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English

Faith's Priority ~ Prince of Peace

What does Christmas actually mean to you? What real importance does it hold in your heart and soul? Is Christmas the time to be happy and joyful, eat good foods, visit friends and family and give special gifts? What about those who can’t reach such wonderful goals because obstacles seem insurmountable and permanent?

 

In spite of these problems for living, powerful faith priorities can separate the darkness from the light. These unique faith priorities say that only Jesus is the source of light and peace. Even where there is grief and sorrow, Jesus came to be the Prince of Peace, to heal the brokenhearted and be a comforter for those who are alone. God bless you and keep you!  

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For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,

And the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called … Prince of Peace.

~Isaiah 9:6 New International Version

Because the heart of our God is full of mercy towards us, the first light of Heaven shall come to visit us – to shine on those who lie in darkness and under the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the path of peace.

~Luke 1:78-79 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English

At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises:

Glory to God in the heavenly heights,

Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

~Luke 2:13-14 The Message

The Lord gives perfect peace to those whose faith is firm.

~Isaiah 26:3 Contemporary English Version

Faith's Priority ~ Everlasting Father

The majority of human beings have a list of priorities that guide their lives. What has influenced your list of priorities that guide you through the Christmas holidays? It is so easy to be pressured into believing gift-giving is more important than our relationships with those to whom the gifts will be given. We should not believe or accept that – but just listen those TV commercials!

What can we discover about faith’s priorities that intend to keep joy and God’s everlasting love in all activities, that ring out the Good News that Jesus has come to be Savior, Redeemer and Everlasting Father? We demonstrate faith’s priority when we emphasize God so loved us, He gave His ultimate best to save us. Merry Christmas! 

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For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,

And the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called … Everlasting Father...

~Isaiah 9:6 New International Version

You will conceive and have a son, and you will call Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the most high God. And the Lord will give Him the throne of His ancestor David. He and His kingdom will never end.

~Luke 1:31-33 Beck – New Testament in the Language of Today

 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 

~John 3:16 New King James Version

And be sure of this – that I am with you always, even to the end of the world.

~Matthew 28:20 The Living Bible

Faith's Priority ~ Mighty God

What’s included in your list of priorities as you prepare for this wonderful time of the year? If you were to list them in order of their priority, would they be doable with joy, or a bit overwhelming? Faith’s priority for Christmas means that nothing supersedes what the Almighty God intended with the birth of Christ Jesus.    

 

So what does it mean to have faith in order for priorities to be set and maintained? Faith means to have complete trust and confidence that our Mighty God is at work in his world to bring about His plan for the salvation of all humankind through His Son Christ Jesus. May this be your confidence, your trust and priority as you celebrate Jesus, the Mighty God. May God bless you, and Merry Christmas!

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For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,

And the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called … Mighty God…

~Isaiah 9:6 New International Version

For the Mighty One has done great things for me; and holy is His name.

~Luke 1:49 New American Standard Bible

This wonderful knowledge comes from the Lord All-Powerful, who has such great wisdom.

~Isaiah 28:29 Contemporary English Version

The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save.

He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love,

He will rejoice over you with singing.

~Zephaniah 3:17 New International Version

Faith's Priority ~ Wonderful Counselor

 What does it mean to set faith’s priority for the Christmas holidays? A priority gives something an honorable place in the order of your life. What is faith’s priority for the Christmas holidays? It’s following Jesus’ lead and counsel in wonder and awe, trust and faith. Consider: What does the Birth of Jesus, our Wonderful Counselor mean to you?

God gave us Jesus, a gift that should not be minimized by distractions. Multitudes of interruptions try to disrupt our commitment to our Wonderful Counselor, who deserves first place in our life. So faith’s priority gives maximum importance to demonstrating your love, faith and gratitude for God’s precious gift, His Son Jesus. Merry Christmas! God bless you! 

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For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,

And the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor...

~Isaiah 9:6 New International Version

The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him,

The spirit of wisdom and understanding,

The spirit of counsel and strength,

The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

~Isaiah 11:2 New American Standard Bible

So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of he Father’s one and only Son.

~John 1:14 New Living Translation

Now that we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts. And his Spirit tells us that God is our Father.

~Galatians 4:6 Contemporary English Version