by Robin McKinley
How would you use the words “love” and “Christmas” together in a sentence? The most common way is, I love Christmas. Another way refers to how the birth of our Savior changed the world. Because of the compassion of God, He designed for us to live the love of Christmas everyday.
When Jesus spoke to Nicodemus in John 3, He revealed God’s plan which was put into action the very first Christmas.
For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
History reveals many important moments throughout the centuries. The greatest of these events was when God became a man, we call it Christmas.
The Christmas Story
According to Luke 2, to register for the census, Joseph needed to go to Bethlehem. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. Luke 2:5-6
Since there was no room for them in the inn, they ended up in a stable. Mary gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, Luke 2:7
As shepherds were watching their sheep they were visited by an angel. He told them about the birth of Jesus. Then he was joined by a heavenly host who filled the sky with sounds of worship. The shepherds were excited about this news and went to see that which the angels told them.
This glorious event was the beginning of John 3:16 where it says this is how God Loved the world . . . This was a new era of joy, peace, and love which still lives on today.
Live the Love of Christmas Every Day
God didn’t just say the words, “I love you,” no! He backed them up in John 3:16. He said For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son.
Do you have special memories of Christmases in your life? Maybe you have some good ones and some not so good. We all have a story to tell. Let’s look at the story that Joseph and Mary had to tell about that first Christmas night.
Jesus’ birth came with no fanfare, no fancy hospitals, not even a room in the inn. His birth was predicted years before by the prophets. It was foretold that He was coming in the flesh to make His dwelling among us. But for Joseph and Mary, that night seemed like they were all alone in the world.
The city of Bethlehem was filled with an abundance of people. But in a stable that night, it was quiet, dark, and lonely, and it appeared that nobody really cared. This was anything but the ideal setting. I’m sure neither one of them pictured this in their minds.
The shepherds showed up later that night and told Mary and Joseph about their angelic visit. I’m sure the angel’s announcement filled the hearts of this young couple with joy.
It was through those shepherds that God revealed His love to Mary and Joseph once again. When we feel that we are all alone in this world, and it appears that nobody really cares, God cares.
He’ll also reveal His love to us in unexpected ways. He desires to be a part of our lives and to interact with us daily.
Robin, with his wife Cindy, became children’s evangelists early in their ministry. They ministered to children full time for 8 years. During that time they developed a number of children’s stories which were told with visuals and puppets.
Robin recently turned two of those stories into children’s books. One is called “The Contest,” a book about the Fruit of the Spirit and the other is called “Twas the Night of Christmas”. He has also authored 5 volumes of devotional books called, 3 Minutes Alone with God. Each entry is a product of his personal biblical Journaling.
These and his other writings are available on his website called Christian Perspectives at www.ramckinley.com . When you visit this site, you can sign-up for newly written devotions as they come out which will be emailed to you.
Presently Robin is the pastor of Calvary Christian Center in Pottstown, PA. He is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God. He and his wife make their home in Birdsboro, Pa. He also serves as the president of the local ministerium. He and Cindy have two married sons and four grandchildren.