Starting Over

"As they were terrified, the angel said to them, 'Don't be afraid; I am here to give you good news, great joy for all the people. Today a Savior has been born to you in David's town; he is the Messiah and the Lord.'" - Luke 2:10-11

Halloween decorations are coming down and we're all getting ready for Thanksgiving, and very soon, Christmas. Each year we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and each year it is important because God continually offers us the opportunity to start fresh, to leave sin behind and all other behaviors and attitudes we want to get rid of and seek His grace. If we examine ourselves closely, we can identify a number of things we need to change, and some of us have been struggling with very obvious issues for awhile, but God's mercy and God's forgiveness is much bigger than our sin and guilt.

Each year we celebrate the birth of Christ because each year God says to us that He wants to make it easier for us to reach Him. He knows we're weak and instead of expecting us to be spotless, He's coming down from Heaven so that we can reach Him, or better yet, so He can be closer to us. He's always extending His love into our lives for when we need Him. It's only a matter of accepting it. So while you're planning Thanksgiving dinner and your Christmas gift list, plan to accept God's forgiveness. Plan to invite Christ to be born in your life this year and finally leave behind all that's dragged you down. It's never too late and the Lord never turns His back on us when we seek Him.

Today's Prayer:
Father, old habits are hard to break but my will is to seek You and start new with You. Forgive my sins and strengthen me. I realize that You sent Your Son to become closer to me. Help me to listen to Him and become more like Him. In Jesus' Name we pray, amen.