“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:5-8

One morning as I was looking through some pictures not he internet, I noticed a picture of a sunset where the sun, coming down to meet the ocean, made a picture of a cross. How often do we walk through another day and never see the cross, never think of the cross, and never point out the cross that we might encounter in nature?

Probably all of us have played the game – “I Spy.” It is a game that my wife and I used to play with our oldest son to keep his mind busy on long trips. Usually you look for a color, but today I want you to consider looking for a cross every where you go. If you pay attention, I think you may notice that you can see it everywhere. Anytime you see two lines cross each other, see the cross; it may be the letter “t”, it may be a pane in a window or the connecting of floor tiles. Look around you and pay attention to your world.

In our verse for today, there is one word that is vital…it is the word “obedient.” Did you ever think about Jesus having a choice? He did. In fact when we look at Him in the Garden of Gethsemane, He asks G-d three times, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. ” (Matthew 26) Yet, there was no other way for our salvation, and our redemption. Jesus knew this, and so he obeyed. Think about it, what if Jesus had chosen not to obey. There would be no reason to celebrate Christmas; there would be no hope. But Jesus did obey, and because of that we have hope. And we are to share that hope!

My question for you today, eight days before Christmas, “Are you obeying?” Are you praying every day, reading scripture every day, and are you pointing others to Jesus? It matters.

So today, during this Christmas season, throughout this next year and beyond…let us be looking for the Cross and pointing others to Jesus. Let this little Christmas devotion challenge us to become “Cross-pointers” every day!

Pastor Dave

“Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law; for “The one who is righteous will live by faith.” But the law does not rest on faith; on the contrary, “Whoever does the works of the law will live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”— in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” Galatians 3:11-14

We are on our countdown to Christmas — and so these devotions will be a source of blessing and comfort in the hectic day-to-day grind until Jesus comes. Hang in there — Jesus is almost here.

I believe trees are one of G-d’s greatest gifts; they give us so much! They give us oxygen to breathe, fruit to eat, shade to cool, wood to build, and so on. But no tree can compare to the one used for the cross of Christ. When we see Christmas trees we usually notice the cost, first, and then the lights and ornaments, once they are decorated. But on this Christmas, could the tree remind us of so much more. Is it possible, on this Christmas, we could remember the sacrifice Jesus made giving His life as He was nailed to a tree – the cross. No, His life was not taken from Him; it was freely given because of His love for us. (John 10:18)

If you are feeling unloved this Christmas, may every Christmas tree remind you of the Cross of Christ and the price He paid because of His love for you. And I ask you to consider the lights you place on the tree — let them remind you that the Light of the World came to show us the way back to the Father. May the round ornaments remind us of His never ending love for us. Let this Christmas devotion focused on a tree remind us that the Christ Child did not remain a baby, but grew into the Son of G-d dwelling in flesh and taking the wrath and punishment for our sins. He surrendered His life, so that we can find new life in him.

On this day, with just nine of the ten days remaining before Christmas, may we remember that the Cross was the first real Christmas tree…bearing God’s greatest Gift – Jesus!

Pastor Dave