FINDING JESUS AT CHRISTMAS

        In Wellington, Florida, when someone stole the figurine of the Baby Jesus from a public nativity on the lawn of the community center for the second year in a row, they didn’t follow a star to find him. Instead, they used a GPS tracking device placed inside the life-sized statue. Because the statue was valuable, the city gave permission for police to place a electronic tracking device inside the replacement figurine. When the Baby Jesus figurine disappeared again, Sheriff’s deputies were led by the signal to the thief’s apartment and arrests were made.
        Instead of metal chains and padlocks to protect their valuable holiday display items, organizations were offered the use of GPS and security camera devices to protect mangers and menorahs, and seventy churches and synagogues responded. “They took the family Jesus!” said Gloria Herrera. “How can anybody do that?”
        Has Jesus been stolen from Christmas? Many are certainly trying to do so. I’ve heard soldiers overseas in Muslim nations cannot receive Christian Christmas cards any longer because they offend people there. Schools and colleges regularly bar Jesus from His own birthday celebration. One store had a nativity with a little Santa in the manger. How can we find Him again when everything seems to be hiding Him at Christmas?
        Like a spiritual GPS, the Bible can guide us to God’s presence and love. The Bible tells us "the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness" (Romans 8:27) and that "if God is for us, so who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31) “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32) The chapter concludes that "nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:38-39)
        Whether we look for Jesus in a manger or in our hearts, we can be filled with joy because He has risen from the dead and lives and reigns with all His faithful people. The Bible is where you can find Jesus now and every Christmas.

Focusing always on Jesus will keep us from losing Him.