New Wine Fellowship Bible Study

Below is a beautiful Christmas message written to some parents of the PCA Christian School–I am posting this because it has such relevance to us all.

Written By Dana Epperson

As we reflect on this school year, but even more importantly, as we reflect on that Holy Night so many years ago, our hearts are full.   We are challenged this Christmas as we read the familiar words that the angel said unto them, “Do not be afraid; I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people; today in the city of David a Savior is born who is Christ the King”.   The Christmas story is not only a story of Great News, but it is also a story of great obedience that came from hearts of great reverence.   

Mary and Joseph not only had great faith, but they acted in simple obedience.  In following the decree of the government, they find themselves in the middle of the will of God.  It could have been easy for Mary to say, “I’m too tired; I’m too pregnant; I cannot go to .”  When we are obedient to God, we really see His promises fulfilled.  God will certainly fulfill His promises even when we fall short, but what a great blessing to be able to walk along side Him and play whatever role He has for us in that.  Mary and Joseph were both obedient to the calling of their faith and they received the blessing of helping to fulfill the promises that God had made for all humankind.

“And in that region, there were shepherds taking care of their flocks….”  It was their routine task, their work, their way of life. God broke into their ordinary life and blessed them.  An angel came to them and the glory of God shone around them.  The shepherds were overcome by God’s presence and power and decided to step out in faith and go in obedience to see what had been made known to them.  The story also calls for faithfulness and obedience on our part.  Sometimes God breaks into our everyday life with power and glory and we fail to see it, hear, or respond.  This story is also a reminder for us to stop and see what God is doing, and what He is showing us.  When the shepherds saw Christ in the manger, they were so excited that everyone who heard it was amazed.  When we get excited about what God has said and done and then share it with others, they too are blessed.

It is with exceedingly great joy, that we share evidence of God’s continued handiwork in the lives of our students, among our faculty, and in our PCA families.  Be encouraged in knowing God is working in the hearts of our staff, parents and especially our students as evidenced by the choices they are making to honor Him with their lives.  He is faithful!!  He is showing up in our everyday lives and in our routine tasks and making His power, honor, might, love, grace, and compassion known.

Luke’s account of the Christmas story ends with, “But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart”.   Mary pondered the wonder of Jesus in her heart and marveled at what God had done.  We pray that this Christmas we will also slow down and take a moment to ponder these things in our hearts.  We pray that we will never tire of hearing the Christmas story, and that we will also have the courage to be obedient to the calling of our faith.  And finally, like the shepherds, in their wonder and excitement of all that God had said and had done, we too will go and tell of it all from the mountains that Jesus Christ was born!!

Merry Christmas!