Why Christ Preached at Christmas Matters Most - The Crosswalk Devotional - December 21
The Crosswalk Devotional
Audio By Carbonatix
By Lynette Kittle, Crosswalk.com
Why Christ Preached at Christmas Matters Most
By Lynette Kittle
Bible Reading
“But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice.” - Philippians 1:18
We may not like or approve of certain ways some Christian leaders, groups, organizations, and churches are proclaiming the Christmas story this year, yet we may want to take a step back and look at the whole picture.
Although it’s difficult to observe, as often we can see how some seem to have ulterior motives rather than being motivated by the beauty of God’s message. Yet, still, they may be reaching out to those who may not have heard it before. Even if we don’t like their tactics and methods, we want to recognize that God is able to save those who hear His truth despite how it is being presented to them.
It’s hard, too, for those of us who seek to handle God’s word with reverent fear and trembling and who understand the call and importance of handling it correctly to see others seeming to deal carelessly with it. Like 2 Timothy 2:15 instructs, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
Understanding God holds us accountable for the words we speak, write, and present to the world; we know He will also hold those responsible who are not so concerned in how they handle it. Like Jesus warned in Matthew 12:36, we are to be cautious. “But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.”
Praising God in the Midst of People’s Carelessness
Still, despite their careless handling of His word, God is able to save through it, and for this we want to be thankful and praise God—not for the people who are doing so with little regard for how they present His truth, but for how He is able to reach out in remarkable ways through the most haphazardly ways His truth is presented.
We want to keep in mind that the most important thing is that Christ is preached at Christmas, and that involves a broad spectrum of how it is accomplished. Like the Apostle Paul explained in Romans 10:14, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”
In the grand scheme of life, isn’t it better for those to hear Christ than not to hear at all, even if it’s not done in a way or method we would present it?
God Has His Ways
Because God has His ways of speaking to individuals’ hearts, we don’t know how He might move a person’s heart in the most unexpected time and place when it seems like nothing good could come from the situation.
As a hospice chaplain, my husband shared what happened while he was leading a grief support group, and some of the members began saying why they don’t celebrate Christmas.
Still, in their argument, they quoted Scripture and actually told the Christmas story to the group while trying to make a point against it.
Thankfully, instead of attempting to shut the discussion down, God gave him insight and wisdom to recognize that in their attempt to discredit the story of God’s Christmas gift, they were actually spreading the truth of it to those in the group who may never have heard it before.
Although the disgruntled group members didn’t realize it that evening, they were preaching Christ and possibly unknowingly through it, God was stirring hearts with the Good News of His Christmas gift of Salvation.
Isaiah 55:8 describes how “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,’ declares the Lord.”
Intersecting Faith & Life:
If troubled by how the Christmas story is being presented and represented in your community and the world at large, pray for God to reach through the carelessness and move individuals’ hearts to receive Him.
Further Reading:
At Christmas and Always God’s Word Never Fails
Photo Credit: ©Andreas Kretschmer/Unsplash
Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.
Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at Crosswalk.com!
Listen to the Jesus Calling Podcast!
Welcome to this special bonus episode of the Jesus Calling Podcast, inspired by the topical themes from Sarah Young’s seasonal prayer devotional Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season. Today, we are featuring guests who speak to themes that all of us might be experiencing in this season of winter. As the days grow shorter and the night longer, we are offered a rare gift: permission to stop. This season can be a challenging time for many, and if you are struggling with low spirits, please know you are not alone, and help is available. This episode is an opportunity to honor your weariness, to resist the urge to rush, and to discover the profound healing that happens when we simply let ourselves rest in the stillness. If you like what you hear, be sure to follow Jesus Calling on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
