December 22, 2023 -- Galatians 6:6-10 -- What are you sowing this Christmas season?

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6 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Galatians 6:6-10 ESV

Christmas magic. Christmas star. Christmas time, its Christmas time. Christmas tree. Christmas joy There are so many expressions people all around us use at this time of the year, but so many of these expressions are devoid of any meaning because the people using them are teaching a story of Christmas without any reference to Jesus.

What is it you are celebrating as you buy presents? What are you teaching those who gather around your table, which is groaning under the load of good things, so that those who are eating with you understand why there is a feast? What are you sowing into the lives of those around you as you prepare for Christmas? Are you making a special point of doing good, being reconciled, especially to those who are of the household of faith, that is, being reconciled with fellow believers.

When Paul wrote to the Galatians he was direct. Almost brutal. They’d been “bewitched”. He calls them foolish (Galatians 3:1). They’d received the truth about Jesus Christ. They’d had His teaching proclaimed among them—but they were beginning to abandon all that was true, precious and glorious about the cross of Jesus Christ and they neglected to follow Him in Spirit and in Truth.

Do not drift from the glorious message of Christmas. Plan to sow the Good News of Jesus Christ into the events of your Christmas celebrations. When you buy a present, in the card to the intended recipient share a brief teaching about Jesus, the greatest gift ever given. When you prepare a meal, tell those eating with you it is because Jesus first came you will celebrate the great feast, the marriage supper of the Lamb, in the new heavens and the new earth. This feast is just a shadow of what will be! Invite others to believe in Jesus and prepare for the great celebration with all the saints and believers who have lived in every generation.

Two days ago I was at the Mall Food Court enjoying a meal. The people milling all around me were sour, frowning, jostling to get past one another. There was some merry music all around, but the people were so grumpy looking. What a sharp contrast to the piped music. When you go out to grocery stores, to the gas station, to the Market, be prepared to smile and bring cheer to the people at the till, in the line with you, those all around you. Sow joy, because Jesus Christ has come and He will return in glory!

O GOD, You have revealed Your purpose for mankind in Him Who is King of Righteousness and Prince of Peace; inspire the hearts of all men to follow after justice, and hasten the time when nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they war any more; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

“FOR PEACE” Divine Service Book for The Armed Forces, 1950, page 31.

https://youtu.be/gkCjddxp1g4?si=67WeG-eUeMl0lrfR “Good Christian Rejoice”

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