Emptiness Filled By Jesus

“This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” –Luke 2:12 (NIV)

One day, the manger was empty except for a few straws of hay for the animals in the stable. Then, that special night in Bethlehem, it held the Bread of Life that came to fill mankind with peace in their lives and joy in their hearts.

One day, the stomachs of those on the hillside were empty and there wasn’t any food to give them, except for the lunch of a boy in the crowd. Then, Jesus took those loaves and fishes, blessed them, and miraculously filled those thousands of stomachs and still had more to give.

One day, the eyes of a man born blind were empty except for the darkness of a life without sight. Then, after the man’s eyes covered with a salve Jesus created with His spit and some dirt from the ground, and after obediently washing in the Pool of Siloam, the man went home filled with light in being able to see for the first time.

One day, the road leading into Jerusalem was empty, except for a few passersby. Then, at the beginning of His week of Passion, Jesus, riding on the back of a donkey, was met by many of His followers who filled the air with waving palm fronds and with shouts of “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord!”

One day, the cross was empty, except for the blood of the One who had just painfully given His life on it, having proclaimed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Then, after being taken down from the implement of torturous death, Jesus had fulfilled His purpose of dying to take away the sins of the world.

One day, the tomb was empty, except for the remnants of grave cloths that had once covered Jesus’ dead and buried body. Then, after the stone was rolled away, Jesus filled the world with His victorious presence, having conquered death and offering life to all those who would believe.

One day, my heart was empty, except for the hope that someone could satisfy the hunger of my soul, shine a light in my darkness, and remove the pain of sin in my life. Then, after I heard His still small voice in my heart saying, “I’ve done it all for you!” Jesus filled my life with peace and my heart with joy.

And one day soon, the sky will be empty, except for the sound of the archangel’s trumpet blast. Then, after Jesus appears in triumphant return, the sky will be filled with those who knew Him, returning victoriously to heaven with Him.

If your life is empty, let Jesus fill it. He is the only One who can. Merry Christmas.

The Indestructible Christmas Present

Jesus Said: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” –John 10:10 (NIV)

It was the Christmas of my eighth grade year and at first we were all shocked and sad. Someone had tried to ruin our Christmas but they would not succeed.

We found the door open when we got home. We could feel the cool December wind blowing through our house as we looked at where presents had once been carefully placed under our Christmas tree. Gone. All gone. We had been robbed.

Before the police arrived we noticed a present that had not been taken. It was from my Mammaw Jackson, who had been blessed with the ability to wrap packages that could survive a nuclear blast. The robbers had tried to get into the box but found that the many layers of paper and tape and string were too difficult to penetrate and was therefore costing them valuable time. So they left it and took the more accessible presents.

Though I can’t remember exactly what was in her box—probably some socks or underwear or a shirt for me and a nightgown or pajamas or perfume for my sister—I do remember that the contents were sent and wrapped with love. Mammaw wrapped the package the way she did because she really wanted us to have what was inside. Wrapped as it was, it thwarted the burglars’ attempt to steal its contents and to steal our joy. Instead we laughed and laughed and ended up having a wonderful Christmas thankful for having received the indestructible Christmas present.

You may have your favorite Christmas memories but what makes them special? When the company has gone and the paper, bows, and boxes have all been discarded, what will you remember about this Christmas? We may take pictures or video to remind us of the gifts we received so that we can relive the joy at a later date, but the Kodak moments may fade and the video might be recorded over with the latest episode of our favorite TV program. The toys may break or get lost; the clothes may get worn out; the pounds you gained from Christmas dinner will get worked off (hopefully). What will leave a lasting impression on you to remember for years to come? I pray that we will remember the thought and love that had been put into the presents we received. Not necessarily what we got but why we got it.

Without trying to sound trivial, the only perfect gift we have ever been given was the salvation offered to us by God. It was (and still is) perfect because of the package, its contents, and the motivation behind the gift. In John 3:16, which most of us have memorized, we see that God loved us so much (the motivation) that He wrapped up His gift of eternal life (the contents) in His Son Jesus Christ (the package), which is just waiting for us to open and receive.

Satan comes to our lives and tries to steal what God has for us—life. Jesus said in John 10:10 that “the thief [speaking of the enemy Satan] comes only to steal and kill and destroy,” but Jesus goes on to say that He came “that they [speaking of us] may have life … to the full.” That gift cost Jesus Christ His life on the Cross but it was delivered to us through the power of the Resurrection. Satan tried to destroy the gift by killing Jesus but the power of God’s love, which was the reason for sending the gift in the first place, defeated the enemy and set us free. We are, therefore, free to live with and for God and to love Him and others.

The gifts and presents this world offers us may give us pleasure for a while but that pleasure soon fades. Matthew 6:20-21 says that we should “store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” The gifts God offers—eternal and abundant life—will never fade for those who have accepted them, and they can’t be taken away.

So as you and your family face the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, remember the gifts that God has for you wrapped up in Jesus. But don’t forget to share those gifts you receive from God with others. Don’t let the hype and commercialism distract you or steal from you the real joy God has given to the world.

And on behalf of the Jackson household, I pray that Christmas this year will be full of lasting memories for you and your loved ones. I hope you will receive the Indestructible Christmas Present of Jesus this year and may you have a wonderful and Merry Christmas.