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This Week’s Devotional Topic
HOLIDAY PERSPECTIVE
You may be wondering if it is a mistake that a few Christmas songs are included in today’s radio broadcast. Here’s a little backstory. The other day I got in the truck, started it up and Christmas music came on the stereo! As I checked, I found out that it was a CD that had been in there for a very long time. I went ahead listening to it and was blessed not only with the truth of the lyrics but it also perked up my attitude and of course, it also brought back pleasant memories. Well even though this is not the official “Christmas Season”, we do have reason to rejoice all year long. I would like us all to consider the benefits of having a holiday perspective. Those that know me have heard the phrase “music is a vehicle of worship”. And Christmas music is a very good example of that fact. The primary reason that type of music is included today is that its message is all about Praise and Worship. A secondary reason for this is as a reminder of how music can help our perspective. When we hear positive, uplifting praise music, it is encouraging to us, affecting our very soul. So, I ask the question: as you hear Christmas music, what is the happiest, most memorable day that comes to your mind? In most cases, it not only reminds us of the obvious history regarding the events of Jesus birth but it is also likely that it takes you to a moment around the holidays that was happy, meaningful, time with family and special friends. In short, listening to Christmas music can bless your heart any time of the year
There is something special that comes to our hearts and minds as we hear Christmas music. I hope that the music we included in our program today can cheer you up, bring joy to your heart. Happiness in the midst of heart ache. Most of us have some very joyful memories that come to mind when we hear these tunes.
It is important and valuable for us to keep the right attitudes, the right perspective on life. An ‘attitude of gratitude’ for what God has done for us through the birth of Christ, that we celebrate as “Christmas”. And when we have the right perspective on life, it is easier to not be so focused other stuff but to keep the ‘joy of the journey’ in our hearts.
Proverbs 15:13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance...
Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine…
Another thought about Christmas is that as you hear that music and happy thoughts come, take a moment to compare that feeling to how wonderful things will be in heaven. Think about how wonderful it will be to meet and fellowship with folks in heaven as they thank you. Thank you for what you shared with them about Jesus. That they are there enjoying eternity with God by His grace because you were obedient to the Lord by sharing the gospel directly to them or giving your tithe. Those funds supported that local church and missions around the world and they heard the gospel, became saved.
We do have reason to celebrate the birth of Christ all year long. Jesus, God coming to earth is the vital part of God’s plan to provide salvation to you. As payment for our sin so we can have a relationship with Him.
Another reason that it is helpful to enjoy these few moments of Christmas music is that it helps us to refocus on Him in worship and praise. And it is important that we guard our hearts and minds, being careful about what we hear and see.
Proverbs 23:7 “As a man thinks, so is he…”
Philippians 4:8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
We need to keep our minds, our thoughts on God’s word, spoken and in song.
Psalms 1:1-3 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
By God’s grace we will experience the actual Christmas season to come. And when we do, we will again celebrate the reality that our Savior Jesus the Christ really is the ‘reason for the season’.
This week’s Scripture:
Luke 2; Proverbs 23:7; Philippians 4:8 and Psalms 1:1-3
See this week’s playlist
