Christmas Connection

This December is a season of connection. The difference God-directed connections make can be dramatic or subtle but always a blessing. The right connection can change the course of our day or even our lives. This season, however, is not about networking or seeking out relationships beneficial to us. It has the other person's interests in mind.

Reflecting on the Christmas story and the Bible as a whole, we can see all God does to connect with us, His beloved creation. We have no way of fixing our broken relationship with God without God. God had to reach down to save us. "God with us" is a connection we do not deserve and could never hope to earn. The connection is born of love. We can only make love connections with others because God loved us first!

What better way to connect with someone than to live as they do? Well, how about becoming one of them? There is a significant difference between imitating aspects of someone's way of life and transforming into their likeness to experience life as they do.

The Son of God could have come to earth to live among us in a purely heavenly form. But that level of connection was not sufficient for our salvation. Knowing it was necessary, the Son of God became like us in the flesh as both Son of God and Son of Man.

In honour of this, let's focus on connecting with God and others this Christmas. Let this Christmas be one of connection over consumerism. Pray about ways to connect with people you know and people you don't. Demonstrate God's love this season by making connections when it's convenient and comfortable and when it's not. Look out for ways to reach out to others in love, compassion or generosity. Offer your time, your smile, your patience, or your ear to as many people as possible. Forgive those who have hurt you, seeking reconciliation or resolution where appropriate. Be determined to live with an open heart seeking ways to connect or reconnect with God's beloved creation.

Remember, it does not have to cost us anything to be treasured by someone else.

Consider how you can connect with others this Christmas season as you Write the Scriptures below:

Matthew 1:23

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

1 John 4:19

We love because he first loved us.

Hebrews 4:15-16

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Revelation 3:20 

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

Romans 8:38-39

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 1:14

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 3:16-17

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

All verses are taken from the English Standard Version (ESV) or the English Standard Version Amplified (ESVUK).

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