The Spiritual Way to Celebrate Christmas: Reclaiming the Awe

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:10-11, "And the angel said to them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'"

Introduction: The Distraction of December

Brothers and sisters, every year, the calendar turns to December, and a strange thing happens. Our world, for a brief time, is flooded with light, sound, and a spirit of frantic activity. We call this time Christmas. But if we are honest, for many, Christmas is no longer a spiritual celebration; it has become an endurance test.

We are so focused on things which are not spiritual that we often miss the very essence of the Christ Child. We rush to the stores, we chase sales, we wrap paper, we bake cookies, we attend parties, and we try desperately to fit a sense of peace into a schedule designed for stress.

The people have changed. The celebration has changed. It used to be a quiet contemplation of God becoming man—the ultimate act of humility and love. Now, it has become a measure of our capacity for consumerism. We have substituted the awe of the Manger for the anxiety of the mall.

Today, let us look at the biblical ways of celebrating Christmas, not to condemn the cheer, but to redeem the heart of the season. How do we shift our focus back to the Savior, Christ the Lord? 

The Bible shows us three vital spiritual responses.

1. Awe and Humility (The Response of the Shepherds)

The first spiritual response is awe, mixed with profound humility.

Who were the first evangelized? Not the high priests, not Caesar, but a group of humble, uncultured, and often overlooked shepherds. When the angels appeared, they did not debate theology; they were terrified, and then they were filled with immediate, unadulterate wonder.

The biblical way to celebrate Christmas is to first be stunned by the truth: The Almighty God, who spoke the cosmos into existence, shrunk himself down to the size of a helpless baby, wrapped in cloths and placed in an animal’s feeding trough. This is the ultimate act of self-giving humility.

The challenge to us today is this: When was the last time you were truly awe-struck by the Nativity? Not by the beautiful lights on the tree, but by the cosmic paradox in the stable. We must clear the clutter of commercialism and return to the simple, humbling scene. Christmas is a call to recognize our need for a Savior, and to respond not with a credit card, but with a bowed heart.

2. Worship and Offering (The Response of the Magi)

The second spiritual response is worship, expressed through the giving of our very best.

While the shepherds represent humility, the Magi represent intentional, costly worship. They traveled a great distance, overcame significant hardship, and when they found the child, they did not just offer a prayer; they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These gifts were valuable, symbolic, and likely helped fund the Holy Family's escape to Egypt.

We, too, are focused on gifts, but our modern focus is on receiving or on gifts of things. The Magi’s focus was on giving to the King. The spiritual celebration of Christmas asks us: What are we offering to the Christ Child?

The true gifts of Christmas are not wrapped in paper. They are the gifts of our time (time spent serving others, not just shopping); our talents (using our abilities for His Kingdom, not just our careers); and our heart (the gold of our purity, the frankincense of our prayers, and the myrrh of our willingness to die to self). The biblical way to celebrate is to make your life an offering of worship to the newborn King.

3. Proclamation and Joy (The Response of the Angels and Shepherds)

The third and final spiritual response is proclamation, overflowing with great joy.

The angels declared the good news. The shepherds, after seeing the baby, “made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child” (Luke 2:17). They didn't keep the joy to themselves; they immediately became the world's first Christmas preachers.

If Christ truly is the Savior, if He is the "good news of great joy," then our celebration cannot be contained within the walls of our homes. Our celebration must become a testimony.

The modern focus is often on self-care, on taking a break, on fulfilling our own desires. The spiritual focus is on sharing the incomparable gift of salvation. This season should be characterized by an unstoppable, Spirit-led joy that naturally compels us to tell others about the hope we have found.

Conclusion

Friends, let us remember the change that must happen this season is not in the decorations, but in the heart. The spiritual celebration of Christmas requires us to:

Seek Awe: To stand in humble wonder before the mystery of the Incarnation.

Offer Our Best: To give the King our time, talent, and renewed devotion.

Proclaim His Joy: To share the good news with the frantic and searching world around us.

This Christmas, let us change the focus. Let us exchange the stress of things for the serenity of the Savior. Let us truly celebrate the birth of our Lord, Christ the Lord. Amen.

Psalm 1:3 A small thought on the first Psalm.

 కీర్తనల గ్రంథం 1:3

ప్రారంభం: పరిచయం మరియు ప్రార్థన

కీర్తనల గ్రంథం 1వ అధ్యాయం దేవుని వాక్యం పట్ల ఒక వ్యక్తి ఎలా ఉండాలో వివరిస్తుంది.

ఇది నీతిమంతుడు మరియు దుష్టుడు మధ్య ఉన్న తేడాను చూపిస్తుంది.

కీర్తన 1 యొక్క సారాంశం

వచనం 1: నీతిమంతుడు దుష్టుల ఆలోచనలను, పాపుల మార్గాలను, అపహాస్కుల సమూహాన్ని విడిచిపెడతాడు. చెడు ప్రభావాల నుండి దూరంగా ఉండటం ముఖ్యం.

వచనం 2: నీతిమంతుడు యెహోవా ధర్మశాస్త్రమును ఆనందిస్తాడు, దాన్ని రేయింబవళ్లు ధ్యానిస్తాడు. ఇది దేవుని వాక్యాన్ని మన జీవితంలో ఒక భాగం చేసుకోవాలని సూచిస్తుంది.

కీర్తన 1:3 లోని లోతైన భావాలు

"అతడు నీటికాలువల యోరన నాటబడిన చెట్టువలె ఉండును."

చెట్టు: ఒక చెట్టుకు బలం, స్థిరత్వం, మరియు ఫలభరితం ఉంటాయి.

నీటి కాలువలు: ఇది దేవుని జీవజలం, అనగా దేవుని వాక్యం మరియు పరిశుద్ధాత్మను సూచిస్తుంది. ఇది నిరంతర పోషణను అందిస్తుంది.

"ఆకు వాడక తన కాలమందు ఫలమిచ్చును."

ఫలం: ఇది ఒక విశ్వాసి జీవితంలో కనిపించే ఆధ్యాత్మిక ఫలాలను సూచిస్తుంది. ప్రేమ, సంతోషం, సమాధానం, దీర్ఘశాంతం, దయ, మంచితనం, నమ్మకత్వం, సాత్వికం, ఆశానిగ్రహం.

ఆకు వాడకపోవడం: ఇది నిరంతర బలం, నిలకడ, మరియు సమృద్ధిని సూచిస్తుంది. విశ్వాసి ఏ పరిస్థితుల్లోనైనా బలంగా ఉంటాడు.

"అతడు చేయునదంతయు సఫలమగును."

నిజమైన విజయం దేవునిపై ఆధారపడి ఉంటుంది.

అతని విజయం అనేది లోకసంబంధమైనది కాదు, అది దేవుని చిత్తానికి అనుగుణంగా ఉంటుంది.

ముగింపు మరియు అనువర్తనం

మనం నీటికాలువల యోరన నాటబడిన చెట్టులా ఉండాలంటే మనం దేవుని వాక్యాన్ని ధ్యానించాలి.

మన జీవితంలో దేవుని చిత్తం ఫలించాలంటే, మనం పాప మార్గాల నుండి దూరంగా ఉండాలి.

దేవుని వాక్యం మన జీవితానికి జీవం మరియు బలాన్ని ఇస్తుంది.

Short message on Psalm 1

 Psalm 1 serves as an introduction to the entire book, laying out its central theme: the stark contrast between the righteous and the wicked. It is a wisdom psalm that presents two clear paths in life and their resulting outcomes.

• The Path of the Righteous (Verses 1–3): The psalm begins with "Blessed is the man..." This isn't just a statement of happiness, but of deep, lasting spiritual contentment. The righteous person is defined by what they avoid and what they embrace.

  • Avoiding the wicked: The righteous person doesn't walk in the counsel of the wicked, doesn't stand in the path of sinners, and doesn't sit in the seat of scoffers. This shows a progression from casual interaction to active participation and finally to a settled way of life that is defined by rebellion against God.

  • Embracing God's Law: Instead, the righteous person's delight is in the law of the LORD, and they meditate on it day and night. The Hebrew word for "meditate" (hagah) implies a deep, continuous reflection, a quiet "muttering" of God's word to oneself.

  • The Result: This person is likened to a tree planted by streams of water , which is stable, fruitful, and always nourished. Their life is prosperous and endures, not necessarily in a material sense, but in its ultimate purpose and security.

• The Path of the Wicked (Verses 4–6): The psalm then sharply contrasts this with the fate of the wicked.

  • The Nature of the Wicked: The wicked are described as chaff—the lightweight, useless husks of grain that are easily driven away by the wind during winnowing. This imagery conveys their lack of substance, stability, and ultimate value.

  • The Result: Because they have no foundation, the wicked will not stand in the judgment or in the assembly of the righteous. Their path is not merely different; it leads to perishing.

The psalm concludes by summarizing the two destinies: "For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish." This final verse encapsulates the entire message, emphasizing that God actively oversees and preserves the righteous, while the path of the wicked leads to ruin.

Introduction to the Book of Psalms

 The Book of Psalms is divided into five main sections, often called "books." 

This five-part structure is thought to intentionally mirror the five books of the Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy). 

Each of the first four books concludes with a doxology, a formal expression of praise to God, and the entire book ends with a final, extensive doxology in Psalm 150.

The Five Books of Psalms

• Book 1: Psalms 1–41. This section primarily contains psalms attributed to King David and often focuses on personal laments and prayers of distress, as well as expressions of confidence in God.

• Book 2: Psalms 42–72. It includes more psalms from David, but also introduces a collection of psalms by the Sons of Korah. The focus remains on themes of distress and trust in God, with a communal voice emerging in some prayers.

• Book 3: Psalms 73–89. This book includes most of the psalms by Asaph and a second collection from the Sons of Korah. The tone becomes darker, with psalms that question God's justice and express a sense of communal and national crisis.

• Book 4: Psalms 90–106. This section begins with a psalm by Moses and responds to the crisis of Book 3 by reaffirming God's kingship and faithfulness. It includes a group of "The LORD reigns" psalms (93-100) and reflects on Israel's history.

• Book 5: Psalms 107–150. The final book begins with thanksgiving and culminates in a crescendo of praise with the "Hallelujah Psalms" (146–150). It also contains the longest psalm (119) and the Songs of Ascent (120–134).

The Transformed Mind

Scripture Reading: Romans 12:2 (NIV)

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Brothers and sisters, friends, and family,

We live in a world that is constantly trying to shape us. From the moment we wake up and check our phones, we are bombarded with messages that tell us who to be, what to value, and how to live. This "pattern of this world" is a constant, subtle force, pulling us to conform to its ways.

But today, we look at a profound verse from the Apostle Paul that offers a different path. It's not a path of conformity, but a journey of transformation. Paul gives us not only a command but also a clear and powerful method for change.

Let's break down this powerful statement.

1. The Call to Non-Conformity

Paul begins with a strong prohibition: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world.” The word “conform” here, in the original Greek, means to be molded or shaped by external influences. Think of a piece of clay being pressed into a mold. The world has its own mold—a set of values, priorities, and ways of thinking that are often at odds with God’s will.

This mold includes things like:

• The pursuit of endless consumption: “I will be happy when I have more things.”

• The idolization of self: “It’s all about me and what I want.”

• The need for approval from others: “My worth is based on what people think of me.”

• A culture of instant gratification: “I want it now, and I deserve it.”

To “not conform” means to actively resist these pressures. It requires a conscious decision to stand apart, not out of stubbornness, but out of a deep desire to follow God's way.

2. The Command to Transformation

But Paul doesn’t stop at telling us what not to do. He gives us the positive command: “but be transformed.” This word “transformed” is a beautiful and powerful term. It’s the same word used in the Gospels to describe the Transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain. It means a complete change from the inside out, a metamorphosis.

This isn’t about just changing our behavior on the outside. It’s not about putting on a new suit or acting a certain way on Sundays. Transformation is a deep, internal change of our very nature. It’s the change from a caterpillar to a butterfly—a change of essence, of being. It's a miracle only God can perform.

3. The Process: By the Renewing of Your Mind

So, how does this incredible transformation happen? Paul gives us the key: “by the renewing of your mind.”

The mind is the control center of our lives. Our thoughts shape our beliefs, our beliefs shape our attitudes, and our attitudes shape our actions. If we want to change our lives, we must start with our thoughts.

Renewing your mind is an ongoing process. It’s like weeding a garden. We must regularly pull out the negative, worldly thoughts and replace them with the truth of God’s Word. This renewal happens in practical ways:

• Daily time in Scripture: Immersing ourselves in God’s truth to reprogram our thinking.

• Prayer: Bringing our thoughts and worries before God, allowing His perspective to guide ours.

• Worship: Shifting our focus from ourselves and the world to God’s greatness and goodness.

• Christian fellowship: Surrounding ourselves with people who encourage us to think and live for Christ.

As we consistently engage in these practices, the Holy Spirit works within us, gradually changing our thought patterns. We begin to see the world not through the lens of worldly values, but through the lens of God's truth.

4. The Result: Knowing God's Will

Paul concludes with the amazing outcome of this process: “Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

When our minds are renewed, we gain spiritual discernment. We are no longer tossed and turned by every worldly idea. Instead, we can stand firm and confidently discern what is from God. His will, which once may have seemed distant or confusing, becomes clear. We understand that His will is not a burden, but is “good, pleasing and perfect.” It is the best possible life for us.

This transformation of the mind is not just for our own benefit; it is so that we may live a life that glorifies God and reflects His kingdom to a watching world.

So today, I encourage you to take this verse to heart. Let us reject the mold of this world, open our minds to the renewing power of God’s Word and His Spirit, and watch as He transforms us from the inside out.

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, we thank you for your grace and for the power of your Word. We confess that we often conform to the patterns of this world. Please forgive us. We ask now, Lord, that you would transform us by the renewing of our minds. Help us to replace our worldly thoughts with your divine truth. May we grow in wisdom and discernment so that we may know and live out your good, pleasing, and perfect will. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

All about Times and Seasons - in God's hands

 Hi dear brothers and sisters, 

Today I would like to talk about the topic of Times and Seasons which are in God's hands. 

Many a times, we worry and lose our sleep over many things which we cannot control. We think too much and this causes us anxiety and we worry a lot. God is speaking to us today and is asking us to believe that the Times and Seasons are in His hands. 

This situation in Acts 1:7 tells about the time when the disciples of Jesus get panicky and ask Jesus about the time of his return. Then Jesus answers them and tells that the times and seasons are in the Father's hands and we need not worry. 

If we look in to the book of Daniel 2:21 - we read similar text: 'God changes the times and seasons'... How true it is, God has complete control and he has complete authority to change the times and seasons in our lives. We might wonder why things are not moving as we thought, but we need to understand that God is in complete control of our life and He is overseeing everything. 

In the book of Ecclesiastes 3:11, it states that He has made everything beautiful in its time... this is also a comforting word. God has made everything beautiful in its time and we need not worry a bit. 

So, today, be encouraged that Jesus Christ is in control and the Father has everything set to happen in its time. 

May God be with you. 

The Glorious Second Coming of Jesus Christ: Hope for the World

 In a world filled with uncertainties, turmoil, and despair, the promise of the second coming of Jesus Christ shines as a beacon of hope. For believers, this event holds immeasurable significance, offering solace, encouragement, and a reminder of God's ultimate plan of redemption. As we explore the profound truths surrounding Christ's return, let us discover the hope it brings and how it should shape our lives.

1. The Certainty of Christ's Return:

Throughout the pages of Scripture, the promise of Christ's second coming resonates. Prophets of old foretold it, and Jesus Himself affirmed it during His earthly ministry. We find assurance in the words of Jesus in Matthew 24:30: "Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."

2. The Significance of Christ's Return:

a. The Completion of God's Plan:

Christ's return marks the culmination of God's redemptive plan. It symbolizes the fulfillment of His promises and the ultimate defeat of sin, evil, and death. Revelation 21:4 assures us, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."

b. Final Judgment and Justice:

With His return, Jesus will establish righteous judgment over all creation. Acts 17:31 declares, "He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom He has appointed." The assurance of divine justice offers hope to the oppressed and reminds us that God will make all things right.

3. Living with Expectation and Purpose:

a. Watchfulness and Readiness:

As believers, we are called to live in constant anticipation of Christ's return. Jesus urged His disciples to be watchful, for they did not know the exact hour. Likewise, we are called to live with a sense of readiness, faithfully serving and proclaiming the Gospel to all nations.

b. Living Holy and Purposeful Lives:

The anticipation of Christ's return challenges us to live lives characterized by holiness and godliness. Knowing that we will one day stand before our Savior, we strive to align our lives with His teachings and pursue righteousness, reflecting His love and grace to the world.

The second coming of Jesus Christ is not a distant theological concept, but a glorious reality that fills our hearts with hope and purpose. It assures us that God's promises are true, justice will prevail, and our ultimate home is in His eternal presence. As we eagerly await His return, let us hold fast to our faith, sharing the hope of the Gospel and living lives that honor Him. May the imminent return of our Lord Jesus Christ inspire us to be beacons of light and agents of transformation in a world longing for redemption. Let us embrace the hope and let our lives shine with the anticipation of His glorious return.