The Christmas Star

Family Radio’s Christmas theme this year is “The Christmas Star: Guiding Us Back to the True Meaning of Christmas.” Matthew 2 tells the tale of this special star. 

One night, a star appeared in the east. The wise men who saw it followed the star to Jerusalem, where they enquired of Herod where they might find the King of the Jews. After consulting the chief priests and scribes, Herod pointed them to Bethlehem. The star went before them until it stood straight above Jesus. The wise men fell to their knees before Him and worshipped, presenting Him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 

Even though the wise men arrived in Bethlehem after Christ had already been born, the star led them to the true meaning of Christmas: the advent of God incarnate. Jesus came as a baby to be the hope of salvation for the world. Just like the guiding light of the Christmas star, Jesus shines as a light in a dark and hopeless world guiding us to everlasting life with God the Father. 

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12

God spent thousands of years preparing the world for the coming of His Son. This “journey to the manger” began in the Garden of Eden when God promised that “Eve’s seed” would bruise the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15). Throughout the Old Testament, the Israelites never ceased hoping and praying for the Messiah. Then, in God’s perfect timing, Jesus was born. 

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

After Jesus’ birth, Joseph and Mary brought Him to the temple in Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord and to offer a sacrifice according to the law. An older man named Simeon lived in Jerusalem and was filled with the Holy Spirit, who had revealed to him that he wouldn’t die until he had seen the Messiah. The Holy Spirit led Simeon into the temple. When Joseph and Mary entered, Simeon held Jesus in his arms and blessed God, “Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy Word: For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, Which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel” (Luke 2:29-32).

 

As we navigate the busyness of the Christmas season, let’s let the light of the Christmas star guide us back to the reason we celebrate: “...Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). 

Jessie Chamberlain

Family Radio Staff

Give Thanks

Thanksgiving is already here again. It’s hard to believe how fast time flies. It’s such a special time, yet sometimes the significance of giving thanks gets lost on us. We can rattle off a string of things that we’re – genuinely – thankful for, like family, friends, a home, a job, clothes to wear, food to eat, the list goes on and on. All these are beautiful blessings from the Lord and make our lives enjoyable. Comfortable. Easy.

But are we giving thanks for the things that make life difficult?

I Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

God doesn’t just say give thanks for the good things – He said in everything give thanks. Our lists might look a little different in that case.

Thank You for the person who rear-ended my car last week. I had the opportunity to show them Your love and forgiveness.

Thank you for my stolen identity. Now I can empathize with others rather than judging them for their “irresponsible choices.” 

Thank You for my financial crisis. My trust in You is growing, and I get to model that for my children. 

Thank You for the cancer. I shared the Gospel with my nurse, and now Your Holy Spirit is living and active in her life. 

God doesn’t let anything go to waste. He uses it all. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”

James 1:2-4 says, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

God wants us to see the silver lining. He wants us to be a light in the world so that when others see us, all they see is a reflection of Him. We live in a fallen world. Nothing is perfect, nor ever will be until Christ returns. If we roll with the punches for God’s greater good, we will be a beacon of truth and hope to a dark and needy world.

Thanksgiving is all about our perspective. Are we going to choose to see the world through Bible-tinted lenses, or will we allow our fallen human nature rule over us? Knowing that we are loved by the Lord and that He sent His Son to provide salvation for all His children, let us give thanks in all things!

Jessie Chamberlain
Family Radio Staff

Boundless Energy

Puppies are fun. They’re playful, energetic, mischievous, cuddly, and adorable. When a puppy lives with an older dog, the puppy adds new life and enthusiasm to the older dog’s behavior, almost as if the older dog remembers how enjoyable it is to be young. That is, until the puppy’s antics get too annoying and the older dog curbs his boundless energy with a little nip to teach him a lesson in good manners and to remind him to respect his elder.

In Matthew 18:3, Jesus said, “…Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Children inherently trust their parents to provide for them and protect them, an unparalleled level of faith. When parents are able to shield their children from the challenges of the world, they naturally live carefree and anxious about nothing (Philippians 4:6).

One day while Jesus was teaching, children were brought over so He could pray for them. The disciples tried to shoo the kids away, but Jesus stopped them. “…Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14). Christ had different priorities than His disciples anticipated. He demonstrated the value in showing children love and the importance of pouring into them.

In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, God through Paul said, “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity…neglect not the gift that is in thee…Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (I Timothy 4:12, 14, 16).

Timothy was a young man whom Paul had taken under his wing to mentor and disciple. Despite his age, Timothy taught at the church in Ephesus. Paul knew that God had equipped Timothy with a gifting to lead others – even those older than he – in the faith, and encouraged him to do so and to set an example for those around him.

Boundless energy, buoyant optimism, eager exuberance, heartfelt compassion, scope for imagination – such youthful attributes sound so cheerful, so hopeful, so desirable. With age can come complacency and pessimism. Life is hard, and experience is a tough teacher.

If “Children should be seen and not heard,” then “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” But the Bible teaches that neither of these are true. No matter what your age, there is always someone younger. Find them. Disciple them. Feed their passion; don’t extinguish it. Take the opportunity to show them Christ’s love. Not to mention, learn from them.

On the other hand, the younger generation can open themselves to learn from those who have more life experience. Job 12:12 says, “With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.” Make the most of the chance to learn from someone else’s background instead of learning for yourself the hard way.

Like a puppy with an older dog, let the boundless energy and eager exuberance of a youth enhance your own enthusiasm as you continue to follow Christ.

Jessie Chamberlain
Family Radio Staff

Holding Fast

Tomorrow is Election Day. As if we could have forgotten with all the commercials, debates, and articles that currently permeate all media. Many Americans fear the results, thinking, what will happen to our country if so-and-so isn’t (or is!) elected? How will my life be effected? Can any good come from the outcome?

But God is in control. No matter who runs the country, He rules the universe. In the end, He wins. And we who believe in Him will win too (Romans 8:16-17).

This election will change who leads this country. What doesn’t change is that we are to continue to live our daily lives according to the Bible. God calls us to “…hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised;)” (Hebrews 10:23). But what does “holding fast” look like in regards to election results?

Love one another – John 13:35 “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
Give thanks – I Thessalonians 5:18 “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
Pray continually – Ephesians 6:18 “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints”
Have a good attitude – Philippians 2:14 “Do all things without murmurings and disputings”
Treat others well – Luke 6:31 “And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.”
Trust God – Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”
Spread the Gospelv– I Corinthians 9:22 “…I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”
Build up others – I Thessalonians 5:11 “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”

If you feel like a lone voice (or vote) amongst the masses, hold fast and remember to “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee” (Deuteronomy 31:6).

Jessie Chamberlain
Family Radio Staff