You Are Invited

Come to the manger. You have a personal, hand-engraved invitation. 

Come as Mary and Joseph came—tired, poor, far from home, and a little confused.  Christmas is often the season, not of joy, but of stress and exhaustion. This year, 2020, is also a season of grief, loneliness, and fear.  God’s invitation says, “Come exactly as you are.  This is one Christmas party that needs no preparation, no elaborate dress, no mask, and no social distancing.  Step into the stable. Lay down your burden of going and doing.  Right here, you can meet the Prince of Peace.  Rest at His tiny feet.”
 
Come as the shepherds came—frightened, curious, in need of a Savior.  Who cannot be frightened in our world today?  Pandemic, political unrest, community violence. For a blessed moment, turn off your phone, turn off the social media. Put your political and personal concerns aside. Are you curious as to why Jesus came to earth?  Are you in need of a Savior?  Kneel here and meet the One who went to the cross for you.  Touch the hand that was pierced for you and believe.
 
Come as the wisemen came—seeking, not what they knew, but only what they had heard.  Are you seeking?  Jesus is here.  Not in the manger, but in person, the Living God who died on the cross and rose again to be our Savior. The wisemen brought gifts to Jesus, but today He has gifts for us: peace, joy, love, faith, and the greatest gift of all—salvation. As the wise men did, present yourself as a gift. Fall down and worship Him.
 
Come as the angels came—joyful, eager to share with the world the good news of Jesus.  If you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, this should be the time of year you are proclaiming his birth.  Play the trumpet!  Sing the song!  Shout to the Heavens!  This is not Christmas trees and Santa Claus and foil-wrapped presents and pumpkin pie.  This is God, loving the people He created so much, that He sent a tiny baby, born in the stable in Bethlehem, to be our Savior.  Kneel here, then rise up and tell your world.
 
Come to the manger. Rest.  Believe. Worship.  And Proclaim.