Because of Jesus, We Can
By: Julie Ranson
Tags: Jesus, Reflections, Christmas, Christianity, Advent

The Advent period (the time of waiting and anticipation) ends with the birth of Jesus, of course. No more waiting. He’s here!

We have journeyed together in this Advent season through texts about Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.

Christmastide, also known as the twelve days of Christmas, runs from December 25 until January 6. (Or from sundown December 24 until January 5, depending on your liturgical leanings.)

Most of us treat these days as a period of reflection, mainly because a new year is approaching. We do like to crowd out the present season with the next one on the calendar, don’t we?

But let’s talk about that reflection thing. Do you reflect? Do you engage in pensive meanderings or, maybe, serious contemplation? What do you think about during Christmas time?

A time to reflect on the meaning of Jesus’ coming

Because of Jesus, we can be made new.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband; and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away.” And he who sat upon the throne said, “Behold I make all things new.” ((Rev. 21: 1–4, NIV)

Because of Jesus, we praise.

Lord our Lord, your name is the most wonderful name in all the earth! It brings you praise in heaven above. You have taught children and babies to sing praises to you because of your enemies. And so you silence your enemies and destroy those who try to get even. I look at your heavens, which you made with your fingers. I see the moon and stars, which you created.

But why are people even important to you? Why do you take care of human beings? You made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You put them in charge of everything you made. You put all things under their control: all the sheep, the cattle, and the wild animals, the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and everything that lives under water. Lord our Lord, your name is the most wonderful name in all the earth! (Psalm 8, NCV)

Because of Jesus, we can access wisdom.

Are there those among you who are truly wise and understanding? Then they should show it by living right and doing good things with a gentleness that comes from wisdom….. But the wisdom that comes from God is first of all pure, then peaceful, gentle, and easy to please. This wisdom is always ready to help those who are troubled and to do good for others. It is always fair and honest. People who work for peace in a peaceful way plant a good crop of right-living. (James 3:13, 17-18, NCV)

Because of Jesus, you don’t have to worry about how you “measure up” in this world. You can live in certainty of your value, your worth. You can go into a new day, a new year with the hope, peace, joy, and love only He can sustain.

Find some quiet time this season to reflect, to praise, to be made new.

Prayer for the new year

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. (Is. 43:18–19, NCV)

Father,

We choose to press in close to you today, and keep you first in our hearts and lives. Without you we would surely fail, but with you, there is great hope. Thank you for your healing power, thank you for bringing us into this new season up ahead. We look forward to all that You still have in store.

In Jesus’ name, Amen. Source: https://www.crosswalk.com/blogs/debbie-mcdaniel/a-prayer-to-keep-god-first-this-new-year-10-verses-of-hope.html