Tuesday: Boo!

People often get scared in the night. Especially kids. One of the most fun times to scare someone is in the dark. Strolling along in normal life and then you yell BOO! Ok, that may not be the Christmas spirit. Let’s talk about flashmobs. Many of us have seen the videos where everyday normality is broken up by musical interlude of epic proportions. (And we get jealous that it never happens to us.)

I’m here
As we read John 1:9-13 Jesus shows up in a spectacular way. (According to other Gospels the Angels even pulled off a flashmob!) Jesus showed up to care for his own people. The result was less than desired. Why? Because the wold and his people did not receive him. “Well, if God…” He did. That is a big point John makes, Jesus did. 

I don’t get it
This is the most perplexing issue ever. How could Jesus show up, demonstrate who he is, even raise from the dead, and the wold did not receive him? It is almost if, like a Christmas time, we are more focused on what we want rather than others. Christianity will cost us something in the short run, but it is fantastically better in the long run. Too often we are willing to work through temporary pain to reach a place where true happiness is found. In a real way, the wold said “turn off the light, its hurting my eyes!”

Family
Those who do choose Jesus are considered family. We receive a new identity called “a child of God.” This is more than just saving someone from punishment or no longer being an enemy. Because of Jesus, we can be family. Believing in the name of Jesus has fantastic benefits to our soul. Immeasurable grace. 

Be bold
God did not give up on the world after the word rejected him. How do we know this? We have the book of John. People today and throughout the world are turning to Jesus, believing in who is and what he did. As we love the decor and lighting of the season, remember that the lights on the Christmas tree remind us Jesus is the light of the world. At Christmas don’t become cynical, but be bold and bless those around you. Share the most wonderful story and flashmob experience in history. Share that God does show up.

Journal questions:

1. What are some ways God has “scared you” by suddenly showing up?
2. How can we show Jesus love to those around us?
3. If the world did not receive Jesus, what should we who follow Jesus do?