Pastor Jesse and Erica talk about the importance of focusing on Jesus Christ’s birth, the greatest birthday in human history, amidst the festive distractions happening right now. How can you and I keep the focus on the real meaning of Christmas, which is Jesus?
Click PLAY to find out.
What is Faith Filter? We take what’s on our minds, what’s percolating in our hearts, and what’s happening in the world… and put it through the filter of our faith… everything we believe and what God Word says about it!
Guest: Pastor Jesse from Grace Community Church in Auburn/ Host of the Bonfire podcast on Purposely, AND author of the brand new book, The Power Of The Second Thought, How To Live With Indestructible Hope!
Do you have a question about faith that you’d love Pastor Jesse and Erica to talk about on the radio? Connect with Erica at Mornings@SPIRIT1053.com!
Need Prayer? Leave your requests here.
TRANSCRIPTION:
Erica:
Just like the timeless Carol says, Jesus was born, that man, no more may die. He was born so that you and I could be born again. Born new have all of our sins washed away, whiter than snow. It’s what Christmas is all about. We’re celebrating the greatest birthday in human history, the birthday of Jesus Christ. Welcome to Faith Filter. I’m Erica with Pastor Jesse from Grace Community Church in Auburn. Merry Christmas week, brother. Are you and your family ready for the big day?
Pastor Jesse:
We’re going to be celebrating. We have both my parents and also my wife Lori’s parents are coming from out of town. Her parents are coming from Iowa. They’re going to stay with us, and then my parents from California are going to stay with us, so we’re getting ready. It’s festive. It’s going to be kind of wild in a good way.
Erica:
You’ve got the good towels ready to go, don’t you?
Pastor Jesse:
That’s right. There’ll be that laundry happening just every day constantly.
Erica:
I’m so right there with you. Well, Pastor Jesse, you use the word good. There are so many distractions right now and so many of them are good. We’re excited to participate in all of these celebrations and festivities. So, how do you and I keep the focus on the real meaning of Christmas, which is Jesus?
Pastor Jesse:
That’s right. There are so many layers to this season, and when you think about, let’s just take Advent, that rich word. Well, initially you might think of the calendar, and our kids, and other kids love to pop that open and eat chocolate every day,, and are probably about 10 days ahead of where they should be right now. But we have that and then well, what is Advent? And people think of the themes. There’s hope, there’s peace, there’s joy, there’s love. But the truth is advent is about Jesus. And in three ways, one, we look back, we celebrate his birth, and then right now in the present, there’s a reception in our hearts for Jesus, and we also have an anticipation and preparation for his return. Every day we’re getting closer. So advent is really about Jesus. When you think about those themes that we love at Christmas, hope, peace, joy, love, if you pursue those, you only get a little bit more.
It’s when you abide with Jesus that those truly come. And I remember because I didn’t come to know Jesus until later on in life. My Christmases growing up were just about trees and presents and Santa and food and all that stuff is fun. But then when I came into, oh, Jesus, what struck me is I would go into stores and these would be secular stores and I would be hearing joy to the world. I’d be hearing The Savior is born, and Jesus. And I was just blown away looking around the stores thinking, is anyone paying attention to these words right here? Because the gospel’s going out in these stores, and people were really focused on the shopping and what are they buying and who they’re with, and I feel like that was a small picture of the Christmas that still today, it’s like God’s speaking. God’s pursuing us. That’s the message of Christmas. And who’s listening? Who is going to travel like the wise men, right? It’s still wise to go to Jesus and draw close to the Lord. All those choices, it’s not cut and dry. There’s a lot going on. There’s a lot in the mixer, as the phrase in England goes, there’s a lot in the mixer, but we’ve got to be intentional and don’t miss the best part of Christmas.
Erica:
You know what I’m thinking about as you and I are talking right now, it’s fun to eat Christmas cookies and all of the goodies, all of the treats, like my friend Donna is going to bring in her delicious almond bars tomorrow. I can’t wait. Right? But then there’s something about when you sit down to a delicious meal and you just feel filled in a different way. We can enjoy all of the presents and the things, but man, there is something so fulfilling down deep to the soul when you focus on what we believe, and who we’re celebrating right now.
Pastor Jesse:
That’s right. Erica. Enjoy the almond bars and enjoy the great food that’s going to be on the table during the Christmas season. Provide food for others who don’t have it as well. Be active in those things. But what about the spiritual food? And those memories of when you go with your family and do that intentionally to church Christmas Eve or a candlelight service, when you pray before the meal together, and maybe one of the kids does that, and then everyone is tuned in with that prayer. Or you open up the gospel of Luke and you read together before the presents, you read the Christmas story. And so, it’s not just about presents that morning. Those intentional times, they create new habits too. There’s a lot of people who return to church, and please do, if you’ve been away for a while, don’t let guilt or shame or anything else block you from returning to church. Return to God, take it all in. But as you do that, when it becomes a springboard and it leads to new habits and you start to think, wait, this was so good for our family to go together, lLet’s not wait until next Christmas. Let’s not wait till Easter. Let’s start to get this new rhythm because we can taste and see that the Lord is good every week of the year. And Christmas is special. Don’t miss it. But really let it be a catalyst for some new shifts that God wants to bring and really let God dwell in you richly. Let the word of God dwell in you richly. This is the time to receive. This is the time where Jesus has come to us. Let’s receive the Lord.
Erica:
Amen. Pastor Jesse, you are a gift to us. Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family.
Pastor Jesse:
Keep spreading the good news of Christmas. We’re so grateful for Jesus and for you and for the whole ministry through the station. Thanks again for inspiring us.
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