Daily Encounter: A Week-day Devotional by a staff of ACTS International.

Wednesday, December 25, 2024

Then Jesus said, "Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest."¹

As we said yesterday, don't miss the silence of Christmas Day as much of the world comes to a standstill. Take time to listen with your heart. Be still and hear the true message and meaning of Christmas that, above all, is a call to remember that even though much of mankind has forgotten God, God has not forgotten us. Today we celebrate how over two thousand years ago God came to earth in the person of Jesus Christ to save us from our sins.

History has repeatedly shown that when individuals and nations forget God, they ultimately lead themselves to self-destruction. But every year Christmas comes around to call us to remember God and to turn back to Himâ€"as individualsâ€"to save us from the consequences of sin andâ€"as nationsâ€"to save us from self-destruction.

Instead of recognizing Christmas as God's call to turn back to Him, some are looking for a special vision or an emotional high or something electric as a sign of God's presence, and they miss Him. When Christ came the first time, people didn't recognize Him either because He didn't come the way they expected Him to come. They missed not only the opportunity of a lifetime but also of an eternity!

Don't miss Jesus' call to you this Christmas because you don't have some new, out of the ordinary experience. God speaks to us in a variety of ways, and our commitment to Him is a step of faith based on an act of our willâ€"with or without any feelings or great flashes of insight. Come to Jesus this Christmas and let Him give you rest and a purpose.

Suggested prayer: Dear God, may the world be reminded, once again, of the Reason for the season and give thanks for the greatest Christmas Gift mankind has ever seenâ€"the gift of Your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Help me spread Your gift of Love and Salvation to others near and far. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus' name, Amen.

1. Matthew 11:28 (NLT).

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