EMBRACING THE GIFT OF CHRIST’S BIRTH AS WE WALK IN FAITH

Introduction

Greetings, beloved readers, and welcome to another uplifting moment in our faith journey here at The Mustard Seed Diaries blog. We trust that this post finds you surrounded by the warmth of God’s love as we delve into the essence of our faith on this blessed Sunday 24th December 2023. All so soon God has guided and protected us and seen us safely almost through yet another year. And so as we enjoy the holidays and make merry this Christmas, may the Holy Spirit guide us through this reflection and illuminate our hearts with the true meaning of Christmas, the faith and hope we have in the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, the savior of all mankind in Jesus’ Holy name, Amen 🙏🏽.

Reflecting on the Nativity

As we engage in the joyous season of Christmas, it is easy to get carried away in what Christmas 🎄 has come to mean for a lot of us in this present day and age; an occasion to be with family or friends and have fun 🤩 or share gifts. I dare say even that state of mind is making itself rare this particular year given the present economic conjuncture our country is in. To speak for myself, I literally had to drag the Christmas 🎅 decorations out this year and intentionally put them up because even as late as today 23rd of December, one can hardly feel the Christmas spirit that used to reign in years past. 

Whatever your specific case may be, either spreading the joy of Christmas or being a real-life Grinch, it’s essential to center our thoughts on the nativity of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations, let’s take a moment to revisit the miraculous birth that changed the course of humanity. The Bible, in Luke 2:10-11, reminds us, “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.’”

Feedback and Reflection

Before we delve further into the nativity story, let’s address some feedback we’ve received. A dear reader who was once a colleague of mine when I was teaching at Association International School, recently shared their appreciation for the blog, emphasizing the relevance of our posts in their lives. She even added that this journey of faith encouraged her to want to pick up a pen 🖊️ and put down some ideas 💡 that have been trotting in her head for a while now. We also received some feedback from one of my dear Aunts who happens to be my Godmother as well, telling us about how proud she is that we’ve started this blog and that it stands as a testament to how God can snatch one up and lead them on a spiritual path that is beyond themselves and that she encourages us to continue on this journey we have chosen to embark on. Your feedback encourages us, just as the message of Christ uplifts all our spirits. In the spirit of Christmas, let’s unite in gratitude for the impact our faith can have on others and do not hesitate to contact us either by a comment in the comments section or by private message to give us your feedback.

Embracing the True Gift 💝 

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, let’s remember the ultimate gift God bestowed upon us. John 3:16 reminds us, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” The nativity is a profound demonstration of God’s love, a love so deep that it prompted the Creator to become the creation, born in a humble manger to save us all. Though I haven’t been on a pilgrimage to the holy land myself, even less now that Israel and Palestine are at war, I recently watched some videos on YouTube that show actual places where the events of the Bible took place and these places still exist today as I write ✍🏽. Let there be no doubt and let no one fool you, our Savior was born and did live on earth and there is proof of it! I don’t know how accessible it is to us but when things calm down again in the region, I would encourage every Christian to try to make at least one pilgrimage to the holy land in their lifetime to strengthen their faith like my father-in-law 👨🏽 did, to see standing-proof of the birth and existence of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let me know in the comments section if you agree with me about going on a pilgrimage at least once in one’s lifetime or if you think I’m exaggerating?

Grasping God’s Eternal Promises

Reflecting on the nativity, we must recognize that God’s promises are fulfilled in the most extraordinary ways. Just as God kept His promise to send a Savior, He remains faithful to His Word. Isaiah 9:6 prophesies, “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.” Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, lived, died, and rose again from the dead then He ascended into heaven. And the same way we have faith in the life of Christ, we also believe that He sent the Holy Spirit to guide us in all truth. We also continue to have faith in Christ’s second coming and so as we currently reflect on the nativity, let us continue to trust in the unfolding of God’s ultimate plan for humanity.

Walking in Faith

In this season of reflection and celebration, let’s reaffirm our commitment to walk in faith with Jesus Christ. Proverbs 3:5-6 guides us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Just as Mary and Joseph embraced God’s plan, let us trust in the divine path laid out for us.

The reflections of today’s blog post still begs the question, will you trust?

Conclusion

As we stand on the precipice of Christmas, let’s carry the spirit of the nativity beyond the festive season. The birth of Jesus is not just a historical event; it’s an everlasting promise of hope, love, and salvation. Let the joy of Christ’s birth fill your hearts, my brothers and sisters, and may you walk with faith in the light of His grace.

Have a blessed and joyous Christmas, dear friends, and until we gather again next week, may the peace of Christ be with you 🙏🏽.