Christmas: Joy in the middle of trouble

Rulers only being worried for themselves, sitting in their offices to get rich instead of serving the people. The breach between the rich and poor is getting bigger every time, feeding the resentment, the bitterness and the despair. Violence is found as to daily bread, and sicknesses are attacking making no distinction of people.

Just in case, I'm not describing the actual situation of many countries nowadays, but the situation of the Jews people of thousand years ago when Jesus was born.

It was in that situation that the angels announced: "Fear not, because I give news of great joy which will be to all people, for there is born to you this day a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:10-11)

I want you to see this: For our Heavenly Father, this news would produce joy in the middle of troubles. And, since God doesn't change, but remains the same, this news, if you receive it, will produce in you too joy in the middle of your troubles.

Christmas is about Jesus. He was born to give joy and peace. He doesn't give it to us as the world does, so do not be afraid (John 14:27). How does the world give peace? It offers peace and joy as long as everything is OK. If everything is not OK, there is no peace and joy. Jesus doesn't give it in that way. Jesus gives you peace and joy even in the middle of trouble because that peace and joy will be Him, your Heavenly Father.

Receive this message of Christmas and enjoy that peace and joy which nobody else will ever be able to offer!

A little teaching from the Drummer Boy

I love the lyrics of the known Christmas song The Little Drummer Boy. When I was a boy, I cried imagining the scene that it described (I'm still being touched by it).

This song is about a poor boy that watches some shepherds preparing gifts to give to the newborn Jesus as birth presents. This boy also wanted to give something to Jesus, but he didn't have the money to buy something that's fit to give a King; his only possession was a old drum. Even so, he decided to give Him the only thing he had, so he started his journey to the manger, once he got there he played his best in tribute to the newborn King. The part of the song that touches me even to the point of crying is the one that says that Jesus turned when He heard the sound of the drum, looked at the drummer boy and smiled at him.

I can imagine what the little drummer boy could feel in that moment. I imagine him sure that Jesus was happy with him, that he knew that God joyfully received the only thing that he had to give, because that showed the sincere heart of wanting to do something for Him. And God saw that.

You know something, your Heavenly Father won't be touched by the great amounts of money that you may be able to give (remember that He created everything!), but He will be touched by the sincere desire of doing something for Him.

How can you do something for Him? The Bible says that everything you do, you can do it as to the Lord (Colossians 3:23-24). So, do not let that the lack of resources for doing great things become the excuse for not doing little things. Your Heavenly Father isn't waiting for you to give Him what you don't have, but what you do have. He is able to much with less. Be confident that when you do something to Him out of love, He is smiling at you.