FROM CBN: When the pandemic first hit Israel, many businesses in the Holy Land almost went under. Now, with the Omicron variant closing Israel’s borders, many merchants are concerned they’ll have to close their shops too. Meet the Israeli company going beyond cultural and religious divides to bring hope to Christians in the Holy Land and America. Here’s what you need to know.
What a wonderful blessing to receive MERRY CHRISTMAS from Kathy Branzell President of National Day of Prayer!
Friend —
Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17 NASB
Merry Christmas!
I pray that you had a Thanksgiving overflowing with gratitude and that you are as excited as I am to step into a season of wishing people a “Merry Christmas!” Christmas is not just a culturally accepted holiday on our calendar, it celebrates the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; stepping out of heaven and into the flesh of a human to come seek and save us. The Divine Immanuel came to dwell with us! The Creator joined His broken creation to redeem us, to model and teach us, living out His love in full. Jesus did not just speak of sacrificial love, He showed it; suffering our sin debt on a cruel cross to pay the penalty none of us could have ever paid. The GREATEST gift we could ever have been given was born on Christmas day; it is more than a holiday, it is a Holy day, and a day we celebrate every day as followers of Jesus.
“Merry Christmas” is filled with kindness; from the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks, and this is more than a greeting, it is a prayer for that person. From your lips to God’s ears, it is prayer that the “good news of great joy which will be for all the people” has reached the heart of the person who stands before you and that they know the hope that they can walk in every day. It is a season of lighting up the darkness, not just our homes and neighborhoods but everywhere we go we should see ourselves as a warm light pushing back the darkness. It is not spoken with offense, but with love and joy in our hearts.
The Christmas season is a beautiful time to express our faith in word and deed as the world watches for how believers behave. Andy Stanley recently pointed out that, “non-believers are not just asking is Christianity true, but is it good?” There is no earthly replacement that even comes close to the eternal goodness of our God and living a life that honors and worships Him. Culture has tried to counterfeit Christmas by replacing our Savior with Santa, Oh Come All Ye Faithful with Frosty the Snowman, and it is up to us to Exalt the Lord! He is the reason for this season and every other season, month and moment, as the Creator and Author of life.
The world is hurting, many feel helpless and hopeless, but we know the Anchor of HOPE and we must say, share, and show everyone around us what it means to live all of life in the name of the Lord Jesus. This Christmas don’t be bashful or bullied into, “Happy Holidays,” but wherever you go, whatever you say and do, exalt the Lord, and joyfully spread the joy of Jesus!
Will you please join me in prayer as we prepare for this Christmas season?
Lord Jesus You are our Creator, Redeemer, Savior, King, and Sustainer. Help us to be boldly joyful in word and deed as we announce that the arrival our Savior; the real reason we are merry. We exalt You and we want to spread Your love not just as Christmas cheer but throughout the year. Remind our hearts to speak and act in ways worthy of our calling, worthy of Your name and the label of “Christian.” Holy Spirit enable us to walk and worship as the Ambassador of Christ that we are called to be in word and deed and the light and love You created us to be. In the Powerful and wonderful Name of Jesus we pray, Amen!
Serving Him with gladness,
Kathy Branzell
President
Join us this evening from 8-10 p.m. ET to participate in our monthly Pray For America call. Tonight will be a special time of praising God and lifting up the arts, media and entertainment industries in prayer!
About the National Day of Prayer
The National Day of Prayer tradition predates the founding of the United States of America, evidenced by the Continental Congress’ proclamation in 1775 setting aside a day of prayer. In 1952, Congress established an annual day of prayer and, in 1988, that law was amended, designating the National Day of Prayer as the first Thursday in May.
National Day of Prayer Task Force
http://www.nationaldayofprayer.org/
