Ready or not, here comes Christmas!!

In just a few days we will be celebrating the birth of Jesus. Are you ready? If not, it’s ok, neither were Mary and Joseph.

That’s the thing about life, we’re not usually ready for what’s next. We get so wrapped up in the now or even the past, that it feels like the next takes us by surprise. But that’s normal. Most people aren’t sitting around thinking, ya know what? I think we’ve finally done it, we have saved up enough money, we are well rested, let’s have a baby! Nope! But what we do know is the Lord has a way of providing everything we need, even when we think we aren’t ready. 

A friend of mine was pregnant with her first child, and both her and her husband were having all the normal thoughts of, “how are we going to do this!? ” Her Grandmother reassured her saying,

“every baby comes with a loaf of bread under it’s arm.”

It’s a Spanish saying meaning that a baby always comes with provision. As we celebrate the birth of baby Jesus this season, there is so much goodness to be unpacked in this powerfully true statement!

Jesus was born in Bethlehem which is literally translated, house of bread.

In John 6:26 Jesus says,

“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

Jesus is our provider, the giver of life! We get to be filled with as much of his goodness as we can take! That’s good because I LOVE bread! More please! He was born in the house of bread, as the bread of life to provide and satisfy all our needs.

But wait, it gets better!

This isn’t just about our emotional or spiritual lives.  The Lord cares deeply about our physical needs as well. Remember he taught us to pray for our DAILY BREAD (Matt. 6:11).  When you look around and can’t see the HOW, Jesus is right there with the WOW.

Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. He also divided the fish for everyone to share. They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftover bread and fish. A total of 5,000 men and their families were fed.” Mark 6:41-44

He is so faithful to provide for our every need. What we see as impossible obstacles, the Lord sees as opportunities!

And the crazy thing about his loving provision is that we can’t earn it, and we certainly don’t deserve it.

As Jesus gathered his disciples around the table for the last supper he sat with those he loved, but not all of them loved him in return. He knew that Judas had already betrayed him, and that Peter was about to deny even knowing him three times! Nevertheless,

“He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Matt. 26:2

Not only does Jesus give us life, just as the bread was broken, his body was too so that we may have eternal life! The offering of his life for ours was made for all, even the ones who rejected him. He loved us first and provided a way.

All that you need can be found in Jesus. He is the giver of life, the way to eternal life, and the best part is you can have as much of this bread as you want! He came so we may have ABUNDANT life!

No matter what comes next for you, whether you feel ready or not, you can be sure that  because of the birth of baby Jesus you will have all that you need.

So eat bread and be merry!! And congrats on your beautiful bundle of joy!

Joyfully,

Season

Joy Bringer’s Advent