Advent Devotional, Day 28 – Dec, 24th 2011

Christmas Smorgasbord!

When I was kid my dad worked as a materials manager for a company.  His job was to purchase all that the company needed to accomplish its mission.  Because of his position many sales men would butter him up near Thanksgiving and Christmas and give him all sorts of treats and things to eat.  He would get different smoked sausages, cheeses, steaks, crackers, popcorn, fruits and numerous bite sized morsels of “good eats.”  Our tradition was to save everything up for Christmas Eve when we would bring it all out and have a table absolutely full of different delights.  I look back at those evenings with great pleasure and Kate and I have even integrated the “snack” practice into our own Christmas Eve traditions.

As I think back on all the different snacks and the joy of those evenings it reminds me of the Great Banquet we will have with Jesus in heaven.  Revelation 19:9 states, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”  Imagine the spread Jesus will provide!  Of course, the food will not be our real interest… Jesus will be!  Imagine as well all the different people who will dine with us.  Elijah, Moses, Abraham, Paul, Matthew, Mary, Martha, John, many of our own loved ones and friends who have passed before us.

This year during your festivities I challenge everyone  at every meal to take time to remember why we really celebrate.  We feast with family and friends because Jesus came into this world as a baby on a mission to save us from our sins.  He became like us yet He is God. He never once sinned, yet took our sins and the punishment for them.  He made it possible for us to one day, through faith in Him, feast with God – face to face!  If our faith rests in Christ, we have much to celebrate this Christmas!  I pray that is a true statement for all who read this devo this day. May the Lord fill your celebrations with joy as you think of the future banquet with Christ.

Prayer:  “Lord, thank You that we can look forward to the day when all Christians will eat and be joyfully together in Your presence. Please bless our feasts and gatherings as we praise You in the honor, and name of Jesus Christ.”

Written by: Bill Kimbley

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Many at Forestburg Baptist Church will tell you that we are a "Second Home." That statement fits because we are simply one big family! Like any family, we're not perfect nor do we claim to be. We do, however, strive to be a Christ centered friendly bunch. We have clean modern facilities and our services and activities are created to meet your needs. We hope you'll consider us as your new "church home."