Christmas Means Rest

Daily Scripture Threshing for Saturday, December 18, 2021

Today’s Text: Matthew 11:28-30

Key Verses: Matthew 11:28 (KJV): “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

I came across the fascinating story of a boy who was asked what Christmas means to him; and he said, “It means rest.” His father worked delivery of newspapers, and he had to get up at 3:00 a.m. every morning to support his dad before heading to school each day—7 days a week to have all 140 papers delivered to their appropriate homes before or by 6:00 a.m. He grew up to be used to that routine. However, he also grew to know that a particular day of the year was different. Father and him would deliver the Christmas morning newspaper on Christmas Eve—meaning that Christmas was the only morning of the year he could sleep in and rest like a normal child. Over the years, he lookEd forward for Christmas for many reasons, but a most special of all reasons for him, in those days, was that, unlike any other day of the year, it was a day of rest. So, in an essay, when asked to describe what Christmas means to him, all he could say was “rest.”

Many of of us do not fully understand the true meaning of Christmas; but I want to invite you to the literal understanding of that vendor boy. I tell you: he might sound so naïve but God is speaking to us through the ordinariness of his naivety. Yes, indeed, Christ came so that all who labor under the weight of a law imposed by sin and death might find rest through Him.“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” is Christ’s direct invitation to the physically and spiritually weary to give them rest—which is the reason for which He came. Therefore, as we reflect on the meaning and reason for Christmas this season, we are called to reflect on the true rest offered to our weary souls and bodies in Christ. We must yield his gracious invitation, to "Come unto me." Let not any heartbroken, despondent heart hold back in fear. This invitation is just for you. Arise; the Light of Bethlehem beckons. For no man can experience the true meaning of this special season except he rises early and hastens to yield Christ’s invitation. Rest is given to all who come in personal contact with Jesus Christ, our Lord. He said, come!

Quote for the Day: “Christ’s rest does not only come in a moment of encounter with Him. Yes, it comes by the degree in which we learn the meek and lowly life of Christ.” (Simon Olatunji)

Prayer: Dear Lord, as I reflect on true meaning of Christmas, please relax the tension of my body; calm the restlessness of my mind; still the thoughts which worry and perplex me. Help me to rest my wearied self in your perfect works of grace— in Jesus name. Amen.

With all my love and prayers,

Rev Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D

The Darling Bishop (DaBishop)

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