And blessed is she who believed.  

- Luke 1:45

The pop-culture story of Christmas is truly fantastic... A workshop at the North Pole where toys are produced by elves.

The whole ordeal is run by a fat bearded man in a red suit, who, in one night, traverses the globe and shoots down chimneys with a never-ending sack of gifts.

As he goes, he eats unimaginable amounts of cookies and drinks milk by the thousands of gallons before the sun comes up. It's silly, literally unbelievable!

But in some ways, the true story of Christmas is even more preposterous and outrageous.

The God of the universe condescends to a teenage Jewish girl living under Roman occupation and miraculously causes her womb to contain a baby who is actually God, the Son in utero.

This baby will grow in full awareness of His divine status, live a morally perfect life, and, per the eternal plan set forth by God the Father, offer his life as payment for the sin of the word.

And for good measure, He'll rise from the dead, beat death, and secure eternal life for all who...wait for it...BELIEVE.

Do you believe? That teenage girl could have laughed at the absurdity of it all, but instead, we read, “And blessed is she who believed.” 

“And without faith it is impossible to please him.” (Hebrews 11:6a)

Believe!!!

Today’s Reflection & Action:

It is a radical story that calls for radical faith. It may be foolishness to the world but remember it is the power and wisdom of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18-25)

Do you really believe? Do you live like it?

Faithfully,
Pastor Chris

Paper Sunday is blessed to collaborate with Chris Harper on this Advent Devotional Series.

Chris Harper is a speaker, writer, and disciple-maker. Chris is President of 252Edu, a consulting firm based in Dallas, Texas. Chris serves schools, churches, and non-profits by helping them "grow in wisdom, favor and stature with God and man.”

When not taking ground for King Jesus, you can find Chris on the basketball court playing a pick-up game. Chris is a sneakerhead, an avid reader, and loves a good cheeseburger. You can follow him @252consulting on Instagram.