From Bethlehem
We’ve entered the New Year–ready or not! The arrival of January signals the end of the Christmas season. What do we bring with us from Bethlehem into the new year?
“Because of Bethlehem, love is born. Hope is here.”
Max Lucado
In spite of the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, we often experience it as a beautiful season of love. I’ve found that people tend to be more joyful and kind as they strive to share love at Christmas. That’s not to say that we never feel stressed during the busy season or we always maintain our patience even when we fail to accomplish all the tasks we set for ourselves. But for many–Christmas is a time to celebrate love for one another. And it all began with the gift of love and hope given to us at Bethlehem.
What can we take with us from Bethlehem into the New Year?
We take with us the knowledge that God is always with us–the little baby, born in Bethlehem and placed in the manger, became a teacher, role model, and Savior. For believers, He is with us on our journey of faith.
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). Matthew 1:22
We take with us from Bethlehem the promise of God’s love for us.
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 4:9-10)
We take with us from Bethlehem God’s directive and guidance in loving one another. Jesus grew up and taught us how to love as He loved.
- Love others.
- Put the needs of others above our own.
- Love sacrificially.
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has not one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15:12-13)
We take with us the promise of life and light.
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! (1 John 3:1a)
Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. (John 12:44-46)
“Because of Bethlehem, I have a Savior in heaven. Christmas begins what Easter celebrates. The child in the cradle became the King on the cross.*
Max Lucado
From Bethlehem we have the gift of love.
What about you? What gift from Bethlehem will you take into 2023 to share with others?
I’m so grateful for God’s greatest gift of love. In 2023, I pray we can share that gift of love with others through our gratitude, kindness, and sharing the light of Jesus with others.
Wishing you a healthy, happy, and blessed New Year.
*Max Lucado. (2016). Because of Bethlehem. Thomas Nelson.
“Gifts that keep on giving”, my friend. That’s what I couldn’t help but think as I read your captivating post. Too often, many (myself included) make a mental shift of sorts from sharing the wonder, love, and hope expressed by commemorating our Savior’s birth, to a “Let’s Go! Take No Prisoners!” mindset as we bound into the New Year. Perhaps, we’d be wise to remind ourselves of the gifts God gave so freely to us, and how carrying them forward into the new year with us will make for a more peaceful, joyful, and God-focused year for all of us. Well said author!
I confess to often “bounding” into the New Year, J.D., with a long, long list of tasks to get done–NOW! Thank you for reminding me of the importance of peace, joy, grace, and most especially, living a God-focused life. Your wisdom always reaches right to the core. Thank you, my friend.
“In 2023, I pray we can share that gift of love with others through our gratitude, kindness, and sharing the light of Jesus with others.” I join you in this prayer, Katherine.
Thank you, Diana. I’m grateful that we can pray together, to share love and light in this New Year. May God bless you in 2023.
Sharing the greatest gift ever given means everything to those who receive it. We need to be willing to do that outside of the church (during our everyday activities) to impact our communities. What follows is something I pray at the beginning of the day.
Father God, Thank You for who You are and for loving me. Thank You for Your Word, Your mercy, Your grace, Your Guidance, Your promises, and Your patience with me. Lord, go before my day and direct my path. Help me to honor You. Lead me encourage others and show them the love of Christ, Amen.
What a beautiful prayer, Ben. Thanks so much for sharing with us. You get right to the heart of what a Christ follower is supposed to do in service to Him. Wishing you a blessed 2023, Ben and family, and may God continue to bless your ministry.
When I think about the love God has for His children, I am comforted. His love brings peace and rest to the weary. Thank you for this special message. Have a blessed week! 🙂
You’ve reminded me how blessed we are, Melissa. Our Father gives comfort, peace, and rest, and above all, love. We are so blessed to be His children. Wishing you joy and blessings in 2023.
“Christmas begins what Easter celebrates.” I love that. May we carry grace, mercy, love, and peace into 2023. God bless, Katherine. Happy New Year!
Thank you for your encouragement and support, Nancy. Your kindness sends a blessing to me. I pray God will continue to bless your ministry of service to Him in this New Year.
How important it is for us to carry that heart attitude of giving and sacrificial love into the new year. My prayer is that it will characterize my life every day, in every season. Thanks for this timeless message, Katherine!
I join you in your prayer, Mary, that our lives may reflect the giving and sacrificial love that Jesus demonstrates. Wishing you much joy and blessings in 2023.
Love does seem more alive during Christmas as we focus on the manger and shower our family and friends with gifts and kind gestures. I’m so thankful for this example from the Wise Men in the Scripture story. Let’s carry that example from Bethlehem forward into the new year.
Happy New Year, Katherine!
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, Candyce. I’m definitely in agreement with you about the tradition of the wise men. Giving of gifts is such a wonderful tradition and brings such joy to the giver. I love watching children and grandchildren’s faces when they open a gift, it warms my heart and reminds me of the joy of giving. Like you, I hope and pray we can carry the gifts from Bethlehem forward–love God, love one another, and give of ourselves to others in service to our Lord.
I pray I can keep sharing the gift of love that came in a manger on Christmas Day. We can change the world if and when we truly love like Christ. Thanks for the beautiful message Katherine.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Yvonne. Love your prayer. I pray we can persevere in sharing the Good News of Jesus to others. May God continue to bless your ministry in 2023.
These are wonderful things to take with us from Bethlehem into the new year! Thank you for a love-filled post, Katherine!
Christmas is all about love–what a joyous time of year. I hope we can carry the love and spread the Good News of Jesus all through the year. Wishing you and your family a healthy, happy, and productive 2023 (lots of writing!)
I love your approach to sharing the Gospel in your post.
Beautiful!
Thank you, Connie. Your encouragement blesses my day. Wishing you a healthy and happy 2023!
Thanks for such beautiful inspiration to start the new year right, Katherine. Blessings!
We can look forward to a New Year filled with joyful anticipation or let worries blanket us with fear. Only as we walk with our Savior do we look forward with hope and trust. Thank you for sharing hope, my friend. Wishing you a healthy, happy, and blessed 2023.
I want to share the gift of Jesus with more people this. I want to step out in faith and do more for Him.
Praying that for you, Jen. I know you will bless others this year through your ministry. May God be with you in your service to Him.
I find great comfort and strength knowing God loves me and is always with me. I am never alone. Blessings to you in this New Year!
I agree, LuAnn, it’s such a comfort and blessing to know God’s infinite love for us and that He’s always with us. He carries us through the trials. I hope 2023 is a year of good health and blessings for you and your family.