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John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. (NKJV)
I am reminded of a game where a message is repeated from one person to another, around a circle. Usually, when it comes back to the sender, it is a brand new message. Hardly anything of the original is left. Along the way, some add bits, and some leave parts unsaid, all disqualifying themselves from the game.
In life, it happens that a message gets scrambled as it reaches new listeners; essentially this may be called gossiping.
It is amazing how each of us perceives a story, and how we send it ahead, changing it. It is in our hands for a time to make it better or worse.
The Bible makes a story of the history of human beings, billions of us. Some have never heard of the creation story or the Creator. Some have some idea, but during the telling, the story goes flat and weak, and lacks a significant meaning to pass on. The link gets weaker, unless there is someone who picks up the real meaning and passes on the authentic, original meaning.
God is sending a strong message from the beginning of time through all the ages. The line of men from Adam to Jesus is in itself a clear message of God's plan. "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son." (John 3:16 NKJV) God's plan continues unchangeable and intact, and is passed along through each of us who keep the original story intact.
Christmas is a time to reflect — and to gossip in a good way — and to live the story of Christmas and what God means by His love. Let us not be disqualified by leaving anything out of the story.
Might this Christmas be as God intends it to be, as we believe the story and let baby Jesus be born in our hearts again? Might this Christmas story be told authentically, without flaws, from ear to ear, and might those who fell off telling the story pick it up again in truth?
Prayer: God of Christmas, open our hearts to Your story of love! Instill the truth in our ears and in our hearts. Lead us to the manger to see Jesus. Amen.
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