GREAT

I know that not everyone is a sports person, but there are a few events that come around every once in a while that I feel like are completely unmissable because of their importance on the World Stage. One of those is the Olympics of course but the other is the World Cup. Now if you’re telling me that you haven’t heard of the World Cup and you didn’t know it just ended recently…. Then no offense but I might have to attach a “Do you live under a rock” quiz below. If you seriously don’t know what the World Cup is let me fill you in a little and say it’s basically just the Olympics but for soccer. And yes it did just come to a conclusion with Argentina -who was lead by one of the greatest soccer players of all time Lionel Messi- beating France in a thrilling world final.

Lionel Messi is known world wide as a magician when it comes to soccer. He has racked up multiple championships at the highest level of soccer, scoring more goals than anyone else over multiple seasons, and has been awarded the Ballon d’Or (best soccer player in the world) more than anyone else in history. (A record seven times!) His Skills are unmatched, his fame is immeasurable, and he is adored by millions across the globe. This can be shown by his recent instagram post -about the world cup win- receiving more likes than any other social media post on any platform.. ever… with over 70 Million likes!! The man is an absolute legend, and the Argentinian President just named a national holiday after him. But, despite all of the accolades, fame, and holidays made in his name he will never be as great as the one that came to save us from our sins.

This Christmas season has been different for me. Growing up I never really had many Christmas traditions and it always seemed to fall short of the expectation that I had for it. So Christmas was one of those days that just came and passed for me. I’ve grown up a christian all my life and celebrating Jesus’ birth was a regular thing. But for some reason, this year, it’s more special to me. This could partially be because of the recent life change of getting engaged and life in general being a little more exciting. Or it could be that I’ve been reading through the Old Testament the last month or so and have been refreshed on all of the prophecies that foretold Jesus’ coming. But in reality I think it is because I’ve spent way more time this year meditating on the reality that God came to humanity in the form of a baby with the intentions of being a servant and a sacrifice. I think I am just in awe of how great our Jesus is. He died for me, He rose for me, and He wants a relationship with me. There is no greater reason to celebrate or have a holiday than that and you can’t change my mind.

Lionel Messi is great. Christmas cookies are great. Spending time with family is great. But nothing is greater than our Savior being born, so that He could save us. Remember His Glory this Christmas season. Meditate on what he has done for you and let that flow out of you.

Merry Christmas Grace Family We love you, eat some good food for me! Bryant Hart