The Privileged Life: Will Christmas Be a Turning Point for You?
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV)
Over the weekend, our little planet twirled its way through an annual event—the winter solstice.
In the northern hemisphere, the winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, longest for those south of us.
The solstices in winter and summer represent turning points in the atronomical calendar, as Earth shifts on its axis during its year-long trip around the sun. God’s intricate plan changes the amount of sunshine to allow seasons for planting, growth, harvest, and rest.
While there are many theories why December 25 was chosen for the celebration for Jesus’ birth (no one knows the exact date), I think it’s symbolic that Christmas shares the same week with the winter solstice. As days begin to lengthen, the Light of the World arrives to illuminate a darkened world.
Christmas, too, is a turning point in many ways.
Look at the Scripture accounts of Christ’s birth, found in four chapters in the New Testament (Matthew 1-2, Luke 1-2) and in prophecies centuries earlier in the Old Testament. As we absorb the stories of the ancient eyewitnesses, we discover that their lives are changed forever—just as everyone else over the years is made new by His light and love. His birthday is a crucial moment.
Could this Christmas be a turning point for you? Do you need to change course and start over? Does your faith need to be renewed? Will His birthday, like the solstice, open up more light into your life?
If we seek Him today, as the original eyewitnesses did, we find His Holy Spirit just as irresistible—changing our hearts, compelling us to respond in worship.
- Like Isaiah and the prophets, let us glorify God in our words and in repentance from our sins. Jesus is the only One who can save us.
- Like Zacharias, Elizabeth, and John, let us praise Him in our testimony to others—and by leaping with joy.
- Like Joseph and Mary, let us respond with trust, humility, and obedience to God for His unspeakable gift. No matter what obstacles we face, we will overcome them in His strength.
- Like the angels, let us shout our praises to the heavens. Like the shepherds, let us search for Jesus, knowing we will always find Him with us.
- Like Simeon and Anna, let us find peace in God’s promises and pray with thanksgiving as He fulfills them.
- Like the wise magi, let us fall down before the God of the universe, recognizing His power and authority over us. Let us give generously, from our hearts.
- Like all of them, let us testify as witnesses—through missions around the globe, through our personal stories to friends and family, through our common worship together as a church family. Let us declare that Jesus Christ is Lord…the only way, truth, and life.
Fellow Christians, we are redeemed by His grace! We need to celebrate our Savior…in song, in thanksgiving, in reckless praise. And let’s take His good news with us to share with a darkened world.
Jesus is here, God with us. Ask Him to make this Christmas a turning point for you.
Lord God, Creator of our planet and the entire universe, I marvel at Your plan for my salvation by sending Your Son to earth. In the midst of this challenging season—in the busyness, despair, or weariness—call me to seek Your face and worship You in spirit and truth. Change my heart, change my trajectory. Show me how to truly repent, turn back to You, and glorify You in my life. Shield me in the spiritual warfare I encounter, and help me to respond in obedience with the same trust and humility as Mary and Joseph. Let me fall down before Your Son in worship, find peace in your promises, and praise Your name with joy. In the holy, loving name of Jesus Christ, Amen! And Amen!
Nancy C. Williams is a Christian wife/mom with a writing career spanning more than 40 years in business and journalism. Williams is the author of the novel To Love a Falcon and the devotional book A Crocus in the Desert: Devotions, Stories, and Prayers for Women Experiencing Infertility. Her blogs are featured on Crossmap.com and AriseDaily. To follow Nancy’s posts and news, go to her home page at NancyCWilliams.com and subscribe at the bottom.
© Copyright 2024 Nancy C. Williams (text and photography). Unless otherwise noted, Scripture verses are taken from the New King James Version®, Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. #Jesus #Advent #Christmas #MaryandJoseph #Christmasstory #wintersolstice
