THE HEART OF CHRISTMAS

Matthew 1:21 (NIV) "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

Luke 2:10 "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."

It's not going to happen this year; I am going to be more intentional with my time this Christmas; Our schedule is not going to get out of control, I thought as I prepared an appetizer for a Christmas party. Despite my efforts to stay focused on the purpose for this season, I found myself overwhelmed by the expectations of this time of year. One recent weekend, we had our boys' school Christmas program, a wedding reception, baby shower, birthday party, and a women's cookie exchange. Too much. Just glancing at my calendar nearly gave me a coronary.

Not only is the Christmas season a wonderful time for parties, programs, concerts, gift exchanges etc., the festivities can also become a distraction to the real heart of Christmas. Being consumed with buying and giving gifts can inhibit us from cherishing The Giver. The heart of Christmas is Christ. Without Him there is no Christmas. No reason to celebrate. No reason for good news. No reason for great joy. No redemption for our sin. No Savior.

Unfortunately, many times we are too busy with this season we don't have time for Jesus, or we don't make time for Jesus. Our busyness masquerades as an attempt to celebrate. This time of year can become so chaotic we don't have time to "treasure and ponder all these things in our heart," as Mary did (Luke 2:19 & 51). We have forgotten the most important part of Christmas; the first six letters. Pastor Greg Laurie shares his insight regarding this epidemic when he says, "The only begotten Son has become the only forgotten Son."

We aren't the only ones to forget Jesus. Luke 2:41-52 records the account of Joseph and Mary taking 12 year old Jesus to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover, as was their custom. Thinking he was in the company of others who were traveling with them, they left for home. After traveling a full day, they realized he in fact was not with them. They returned to the city in search of him. Three days later they found Him in the temple courts.

His parents lost Him. They forgot Jesus. Where was He? He was right where they left Him. Maybe this is a question we need to answer for ourselves. Where have we left Jesus? Is He at the bottom of our baking list? The bottom of our shopping list? The bottom of our house chores? Is He squished between cards, decorations, and family pictures? I say this figuratively to emphasize how in the midst of all the details of this time of year it is easy to misplace the One we are to celebrate. Friends, Jesus is right where we have left Him. If you are feeling far from Jesus this season, guess who moved? It is not Him.

It requires an intentional effort to maintain focus on Christ during Christmastime. The enemy would like nothing more than to divert our attention away from Him. The above mentioned activities are not wrong. However, when they crowd and scrunch and diminish our real reason for celebrating we are lured into dangerous territory. Each of us must evaluate the balance needed and the priorities in our own hearts in order to plan our lives accordingly. Let's not forget the heart of Christmas. Let's keep Him at the top of our list and the forefront of our minds.

As my husband David says, "MAY THE HEART OF CHRISTMAS FIND A PLACE IN YOURS."

* I will take a couple weeks off to share more time with my family. Join me Jan. 14th for my first devotion in the New Year when I will resume my weekly posts. Thank you so much for your continued support of Hester's Heart. I am so excited for what the Lord has in store for 2011. Sweet blessings to you all. Merry Christmas!

Heart Work:

Make time to evaluate the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas on your calendar. Decide which festivities contributed to your worship of our King. Evaluate which events were merely a distraction. How will this realization help you in the future?

Celebrating our Savior's birth can occur every day. Find time between now and New Year's to spend uninterrupted time in worship.

Heart Examination:

Which of your activities are born out of duty or obligation? How can you encourage an intentional focus on Christ in your home? What will you say 'yes' to and what will you say 'no' to?

How can the heart of Christmas find a place in yours?

Heart Changing Word:

Isaiah 9:6 (NIV) "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Matthew 1:21 "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

Luke 2:10 "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."

Luke 2:19 & 51b "Mary treasured all these things in her heart."

Copyright 2010 by Hester Christensen. All rights reserved.

UNWRAP HIS GIFTS

James 1:17 (NIV) "Every good and perfect is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

The Christmas season is an exciting time for giving and receiving gifts. It brings us pleasure to find just the right one for that special someone, knowing how meaningful it will be to them. We delight in our children's responses as they open their new treasures. We also find enjoyment in opening and receiving homemade kids crafts.

Celebrating the gift of Jesus gives us reason to pause at what God did for mankind on this lowly night in Bethlehem. His gift changed the world. His gift offered us hope and a future. His gift redefined what giving really means.

A few weeks ago I posted the "Alphabet of Attributes and Adoration" right before Thanksgiving. After I did this my thoughts were jump started and I began thinking of all we have in Christ because of who He is. I started making notes of all the gifts I have experienced and received from God because of my relationship with Him.

When we accept Jesus Christ into our lives we receive an eternal reward with Him in heaven. Many other gifts are also ours this side of heaven. Taking on His Name gives us new life and a new identity in Him. This new identity makes us the recipients of these blessings. What we have and who we are in Christ are the gifts He gives us. Because of who God is, we can experience what He offers us. It's time to unwrap these gifts and claim them as our own.

A-Accepted, Assured, Adopted, Abundant Life,

B-Blessed, Beauty, Belonging, Bible, Biblical Self-esteem,

C-Confident, Citizen of Heaven, Counselor, Cleansed, Courage, Compassion, Contentment,

D-Delivered, Defended, Discipline,

E-Eternal Life, Encouragement, Empowered, Endurance,

F-Found, Forgiveness, Freedom, Family, Faith, Father,

G-Grace, Gentleness, Goodness, Generosity, Gratitude, Growth,

H-Hope, Holy Spirit, Healing, Heaven, Hiding place, Humility, Heart for Missions,

I-Inheritance, Intercessor, Insight, Identity, Integrity,

J-Joy, Justification, Jesus,

K-Kindness, Kingdom,

L-Love, Life, Leadership,

M- Mercy, Member of God's Family,

N-New name, No fear,

O-Overcomers, Overjoyed,

P-Peace, Promises of God, Power of Holy Spirit, Payment for sin, Perseverance, Purpose,

Q-Quietness,

R-Redemption, Roots, Rest, Refuge, Responsibility, Respect,

S-Strength, Salvation, Second chance, Servant's heart, Self-discipline, Self-control,

T-Treasure in Heaven, Truth, Trust, The Word, Thankfulness,

U-Understanding, Undivided heart,

V- Victory, Vision,

W-Wisdom, Washed, Whole,

X-"chi" Christ,

Y-You,

Z-Zeal,

The best gift God gave is His Son Jesus. As we celebrate this time of year by giving and receiving various gifts, may we cherish the gift of our Savior. He delights to bless us with these gifts, this side of heaven. Let us claim the gifts and blessings God gives us because of Jesus. Have fun unwrapping!

Heart Work:

Ask the Lord to show you which gift you hesitate to unwrap and experience. Make your own list of God's gifts and praise Him for who He is and what you have received in Him.

Heart Examination:

Why is it we easily forget all Christ has given us? How can we not allow the daily grind to keep us from claiming these gifts?

Which gift means the most to you this week?

Heart Changing Word:

Matthew 6:33 (NIV) "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well."

Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

John 14:16 "I will ask the Father and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever."

John 14:27 (NIV) "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you."

Galatians 5:1 "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free."

Colossians 3:24 "Since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward."

Hebrews 3:6 "But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast."

James 1:17 "Every good and perfect is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

1 Peter 1:8 "Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy."

Copyright 2010 by Hester Christensen. All rights reserved.

DON'T DROP THE BATON

Ephesians 6:4b (NASB) "Bring your children up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."

In junior high I participated in track and field. Sprints and relay were my favorite. I earned a position on our 4 X 100 relay as the anchor, the final sprinter to finish out the race. Our coach insisted we practice passing the baton over and over. If we dropped it we were disqualified. If we fumbled it, our time reflected it. As a relay team, running the race was only half of our goal. Passing the baton completed it.

Much like a relay, passing the baton can be likened to passing on our faith, handing it off or sharing it with others. When I think of my team I think of my husband and boys. As a parent, my first priority is to pass my faith onto my children. As I run this race my goal certainly is to make it to the finish line, but not without passing the baton to my boys.

We must consider the legacy we are leaving our children. Hopefully it is one of faith rather than futility. Establishing a solid foundation of biblical understanding and spiritual maturity in our kids cannot be underestimated. Transferring our faith to the next generation requires being intentional and accepting our responsibility as Christian parents. Passing the baton of faith to our children should be top priority.

Raising up a godly heritage to follow is vital. In order to do this we acknowledge the necessity of evaluating our own spiritual health. We must be healthy enough ourselves in order for our faith to live in the next generation, even after we are gone. Our spiritual lives must be deep enough, wide enough, and nourished enough to leave an inheritance of spiritual vitality to our children. We admit we cannot pass on to our children what we do not possess ourselves.

A recent study in the book of Ephesians has spurred me on in the training of our boys. In the beginning of chapter 6 Paul delivers wisdom to children and parents. Verse four specifically reveals how we leave a godly legacy to the next generation. In eleven simple words Paul says, "Bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." (NASB)

I have read this verse many times without comprehending the complete context of Paul's intent. It wasn't until I unpacked the meaning of two words that I fully understood its significance. The Greek word for "bring" (ektrepho) means to nourish up to maturity, to nurture. The Greek translation for "discipline" (paideia) means the whole training and education of children, a cultivation of their minds and morals.

These words instruct us that the environment in which we bring up our children needs to be one that is teaching and training in righteousness. We are to nourish them into biblical maturity and cultivate their mind and morals in truth; to nurture them in the discipline of the Lord. It sounds like our lives need to be saturated by the things of God and His Word in order for this kind of intentional instruction to take place in our homes.

This incredible responsibility and privilege should change the way we live as parents. Teaching our children Biblical truths establishes and strengthens the foundation on which we build upon. This foundation equips our children to look at life through a Biblical worldview. Our hope is to show them that the Bible is more than just a book. It is intended to be lived out.

Just last night my six-year old son asked "How do I hide God's Word in my heart? Do I cut open my heart with a knife and put it in there?", as he jabs a fist to his chest. "Do I swallow it?", as he opened wide his mouth to see how much of his little pocket Bible he could fit in. This gave us a good opportunity to discuss the importance of memorizing scripture and explaining the spiritual meaning beyond his literal mindset.

Here are some other ways to instill our faith in our children's lives:

• Reading devotions together and asking open ended questions like, "What can we learn from this Bible story?" Or, "How can we apply this to our lives this week?" Reading God's Word together reinforces and directs our children's attention to the Bible, the authority by which we make decisions and conduct our lives.
• Praying with our children teaches them how to communicate with God. Communication is important in any relationship. Praying for our children reveals our reliance upon God to help us raise them in Truth and righteousness.
• Looking for teachable moments each day also helps us transmit our faith as we shed godly wisdom on situations.

Recently, our eight-year-old came to me sharing his struggle of having negative and bad thoughts. He couldn't get them out of his mind. We prayed together, listened to praise music, read Scripture. It helped him, but a few days later he came to me again.

The Lord nudged me not to take this lightly. In addition to the above, I printed out Ephesians 6:10-18. The next four weeks he diligently memorized this passage. Teaching him that God's armor will help him defeat the attacks of the enemy will help him learn how to be proactive the next time it happens. He came to me last week and told me with confidence, "It's working mom. Memorizing Scripture helps me defeat the enemy."

Being a Christian parent is the most exhausting and laborious blessing there is. I'm still learning through trial and error. Sometimes I miss teachable moments. There have been days I haven't made the time to pray for our children and have even allowed my impatience to rush through devotions with them. The Lord humbles me often to remind me of the eternal investment I am making in them and the effort required on my part. It pushes me to strengthen my own foundation in order to strengthen theirs so they can finish the race themselves.

Passing the baton of faith to the next generation requires being intentional and accepting our responsibility as Christian parents. We cannot neglect to leave the next generation without His Truth. They in turn pass the baton to those after them. May we all strive to finish the race without dropping the baton. Pass it on.

Heart Work:

Ask the Holy Spirit everyday to give you wisdom as you raise your children in the Lord. Rely on Him to embrace each day as an opportunity to teach them His Word. Look for teachable moments.

Commit to read God's Word and pray together regularly with your children. If you don't have an age appropriate devotion book, check your nearest Christian bookstore or shop online for one.

Evaluate your spiritual health. Be committed to make necessary adjustments for the sake of your children.

Heart Examination:

What prevents you from engaging in intentional conversation and instruction with your children regarding the Lord and His Word?

Do you fully understand the responsibility given to Christian parents? How does your life reflect it?

Heart Changing Word:

Deuteronomy 6:5-9 (NIV) "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates."

Judges 2:10 & 12 "After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel. They forsook the Lord, the God of their fathers."

2 Timothy 3:14-15 "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."

3 John 4 "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."

Copyright 2010 by Hester Christensen. All rights reserved.

TWO OR ONE?

Ephesians 5:21 "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."

Marriages are under attack. This covenant is no longer esteemed, honored or viewed as sacred like it should be. My heart grieves over the hurt brought on by disintegrating relationships between husbands and wives. Many marriages represent two individuals operating independently of the other without any regard to physical, emotional and spiritual oneness. They function as two people rather than a united whole, resembling room mates instead of partners.

In the past couple months I have become aware of several marriages that are on the fringe. A wife of 30 years walked out. A husband battles pornography. A middle-age couple struggles with stubborn hearts. A newlywed wife struggles under the authoritarianism of her husband. A young couple with three little ones wrestles over who is to be the spiritual leader of their home. Another husband pursues personal hobbies while withdrawing from his family. Sadly, I could go on. All of these couples are Christian. All are struggling. All are ready to give up and move on.

My husband and I experienced challenges early in marriage. Deep wounds were brought in from my past. While I loved my husband, my actions certainly didn't show it. I lashed out at him, disrespected Him, and withdrew. Admitting I needed help was not about to happen. You know, "Everything was just fine." God intervened. The Holy Spirit brought a large dose of humility to my heart. Over time we sorted through our "baggage" and our marriage is stronger as a result. Praise God for His healing in my life and our marriage.

It gives Satan great pleasure to see marriages fail. This reality is not to be taken lightly. The master deceiver wants to destroy all marriages. We live in a war zone friends. The less effective our marriages are the less we influence the world for Christ, the less radiant we are for His kingdom, the less glory we bring to His Name.

Paul uses marriage to illustrate Christ's love for the church in Ephesians 5:25, (NIV) "Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy." Christ loved the church by laying His life down for her so that the best could be brought out of her. As a part of Christ's bride, we understand the significance of this sacrificial act. He was willing to empty Himself for the good of the church, His bride. In the same way, the husband is to seek to sacrificially love his wife by emptying himself and become a servant. Christ didn't lead by domineering, but by caring and cherishing and so it should be for the husband.

Verse 33 exhorts wives by saying, "The wife must respect her husband." Love and respect are foundational principles for any marriage to thrive. Just as a wife expects unconditional love, the husband needs and expects unconditional respect. Unfortunately, most wives don't understand or refuse to accept this fact to the detriment of their marriage.

The enemy is a liar. He wants to convince us we are always right and our spouse is always wrong. He wants us to believe we can find fulfillment outside of Christ. He lures us away from God's best and entices us to fall prey to addictions. Tempting us with power, control and pride are his specialties. He tries to persuade us that God wouldn't want me to be unhappy. Recognizing the deceivers' lies and tearing down his deceptions is vital.

Deeply rooted struggles in marriage are often a symptom of a much bigger problem. When our heart is not right with God all other relationships will feel the impact; family, co-workers, friends, and especially our spouse.

The destruction of marriage starts with the individual. When Jesus Christ is truly Lord of our lives, change is always possible. When Jesus is Lord we proclaim that He is the authority by which we conduct our lives. If Jesus is not Lord, something is. Dying daily to self is necessary in order to keep Jesus as Lord. Living under the lordship of Christ solidifies the foundation upon which to build a healthy marriage. Here are a few building blocks for further construction:

• Believing God can change our hearts and restore our marriage is crucial. If we doubt the Holy Spirit's power to renovate our hearts we need to re-evaluate our core beliefs.
• Granting forgiveness makes healing possible. Ruth Bell Graham says, "A great marriage takes two great forgivers."
• Applying consistent unconditional love and respect (Ephesians 5) will bring harmony and peace.
• Being willing to change implies humility. Removing pride is necessary for growth to happen. When we are prideful we are not teachable. The problem comes when we are not willing to confess when we are wrong and own up to our part.
• Praying holds our hearts together. When the Holy Spirit penetrates our heart a natural response is to get on our knees. We cannot do marriage on our own. Communication with God is an expression of humility because we seek His strength to live and function. We desire His protection from the fiery darts of the evil one. We pray for ourselves to ensure our heart is right with Him and our finger is not pointed elsewhere.

This is not a prescription for a perfect marriage. No. Perfect marriages don't exist, only restored ones. They take time, commitment, daily surrender, forgiveness, unconditional love and respect. This does not mean we will be exempt from struggles, disagreements, or desert experiences. Being determined to work through them though will ensure victory for us, and defeat to the enemy! It is a start to reflecting the glory, grace and oneness God intended for man and wife.

Heart Examination:

Do I understand how important my relationship with God or lack of relationship with Him impacts my marriage?

How healthy is my marriage? How can I extend forgiveness and unconditional love to my spouse? How is the enemy deceiving me?

Am I committed to do whatever it takes to love my spouse and have a godly marriage whether or not my spouse reciprocates?

Am I willing to be responsible for my contributions, good or bad, to my marriage?

Does forgiveness, unconditional love, respect, humility and prayer characterize my marriage?

Heart Work:

Evaluate how your relationship with God contributes to your marriage.

Ask God to remove the tactics of the enemy to persuade and speak lies to you.

Consider the strength of your foundation. Which building blocks can you better implement for a healthy and godly marriage?

Heart Changing Word:

Matthew 7:25 "The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock."

2 Corinthians 10:5 "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

Romans 8:12 "Brothers we have an obligation - but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live."

Hebrews 13:4 (NIV) "Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure."

Ephesians 5:21 "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."

Ephesians 5:25 "Husbands love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her."

Ephesians 5:33 "The wife must respect her husband."

Copyright 2010 by Hester Christensen. All rights reserved.