Christmas within the Heart...

Bible readings... 
“And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.” Luke 1:38
“I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.” Ps. 143:6
“Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.” Ps. 73:25
“My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word.” Ps. 119:81
​--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello everyone…and a big welcome today, to Sunday Inspiration…through the Risen Hope Ministries! Before we begin, I would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas! My prayer for you; is that you will truly experience Christ in your Christmas…and that you will come to see that the One, who was born many years ago; is still alive and with you in Spirit…no matter what you may face in life!
 
As we look back to a time, when Mary had just been visited by the angel of the Lord; we see a young girl who had no clue, as to what was about to take place in her life…but no matter what she questioned or felt…she opened herself up to God’s will and Jesus, God’s Son was brought into this world.
 
As I was listening to the song that I have posted, for this week’s Sunday Inspiration, titled…“Be Born in Me”…I just wonder, if we have truly allowed Jesus to be born within our hearts? In other words…have we allowed our hearts to become the manger, where He can be born within us…and not only born within us; but also brought alive within us, while allowing Him to work and make Himself evident…in and through us.
 
You know…Christmas can become a time, where we become easily caught up into family…friends…gifts and all kinds of events that may be taking place…but where is Jesus in all of this? Have we locked Him up within our hearts over the Christmas season…not allowing Him to be seen or heard of…or even acknowledged within our own hearts?
 
One thing that is truly experienced in my own life at Christmas; is the celebration of Jesus’ birthday…and oh what a time this should be for all of us, as we celebrate the birth of a Messiah…One that was sent, to not only save us from our sins; but to also free us from the moments of despair; that can be brought about by evil.
 
As we celebrate Christmas this year, can we say that we are willing to let Christ truly be born within us…and I’m not talking about being labeled as a “Christian;” but really and truly…allow Christ to be connected to us through a relationship, rather than a religion. We must remember that religion dictates our lives…but a true and lasting relationship with Christ can become something special…deep within us; something that becomes ongoing and never ending…one that grows with time, as we share the up’s and down’s of life with Christ, until we reach the place, where we enter His arms for real in heaven.
 
Let me ask you a question, as we close our time together. Have you prepared your heart for Jesus this Christmas? Have you opened your heart up to Him and welcomed Him in, just as Mary did? I would say that after all our Lord has done for us…the least we could do; would be to welcome His presence within us and celebrate the birthday, of the greatest King known to man…Jesus Christ!
May God truly bless your heart this Christmas!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane
​