It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Twinkling lights!

Christmas decorations!

Fresh-baked cookies!

Hot Cocoa!

Visits to Santa Claus!

Elf on the Shelf…who miraculously flies to a different location in the home…providing children the joyous fun of searching for their little elf each morning!

Christmas concerts and programs!

Christmas jammies!

Glistening snowfalls, which turns the world around us into a winter wonderland!

And a little over a week ago, we had our first snowfall! 

We couldn’t help but notice the beauty of the falling snow as we drove home from Bloomington, after visiting my son and daughter-in-law’s church!

Our little Graham was signing in big church that morning, so we didn’t want to miss that!

We were also blessed that morning with an inspiring message, titled…”It’s the Most Wonderful time of the Year”!

Fortunately, the senior pastor of their church loves this season too! 

And I am sure he was elated as he saw the snow falling when he left church that day!

But his message wasn’t just about twinkling lights, fresh-baked cookies or where your Elf would be found the next morning!

His message was from John 13.

The pastor shared that Jesus knew it was time for him to leave this world and go to his 

Father and He desired to show his love to His disciples to the very end.

Jesus got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing and wrapped a towel around his waist.

He proceeded to our water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him…John 13:1-5.

And of course, Simon Peter had to let Jesus know…”No, you shall never wash my feet”…John 13:7.

Jesus told Peter…”Unless you allow me to wash you, you have no part of me”…John 13:8

Peter quickly replied, “Not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”…John 13:9.

Jesus told Peter that his body was clean; it was only necessary to wash his feet. 

However, there was one who sat around the table that was not clean.  Jesus already knew that Judas was going to betray him…John 13:11. 

Even knowing that Judas was going to betray, Jesus still washed his feet!

Jesus’ actions set an example for each of us to follow!

God poured himself out to become Jesus in the flesh.

Jesus poured water into the basin to wash his disciples’ feet!

Where can you…

Where can I go…

To pour ourselves out to wash the lives around us?

The Pastor asked…”Where is the lowest place you can intentionally go to serve someone because you love them”?

That place is different for each of us!

Are you willing to go there?

Am I?

Judas let Jesus wash his feet, but unfortunately, Judas never let Jesus wash his heart.

Each of us needs to be willing to let Jesus not only wash our feet…but our hearts as well!

After washing the disciples’ feet, Jesus shared…”Now, that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should one another’s feet.  I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you”…John 13:14-15.

A servant is not greater than his Master!  He’s great because he is the greatest servant!

Who...

Where…

Will you serve this season?

The Advent Season…provides us a wonderful opportunity to prepare our hearts and remember the true meaning of the season…and to serve others!!

It truly is the most wonderful time of the year!

Dear Heavenly Father…Just as You poured yourself out to become Jesus in the flesh…just as Jesus poured water into the basin to wash the disciples’ feet…help us to pour ourselves out to touch the lives of those around us! 

(Notes from Eastview Christian Church Sermon on December 4, 2016)