The first Christmas didn’t have any glitz or glamor. No big wreath or Christmas tree. No presents. No family feast. Just a little wooden manger and the lights of a few candles as decorations. But that first Christmas brought hope. It brought joy and amazement, wonder and curiosity. It brought glory and praise to God. It was so simple, but so profound.

Christmas is not the same this year. But nor should it be. Christmas shouldn’t be just a tradition we carry out every year because the calendar says so. We shouldn’t stress and groan and overwhelm ourselves (and others) with to-do lists, shopping lists, a must-haves. Christmas should be a time each year to pause and remember that God loves us so much that He left His throne, His glory and all His power to become a child that would become a man who was to suffer and die for us – rebellious, faithless, sinners.

So yes, may your Christmas be different this year. May you forget about the shopping list and focus instead on the gift of Christ Jesus. Instead of big parties and gatherings may you seek quiet and calm moments to read His Word and His story. Instead of sharing presents, share God’s hope and love and joy this year with those who need it most.

So here we are going into six full weeks of isolation and we are all ready to get out! I mean, there’s only so much you can do in your house, right? If only we could get out of our houses; if only we could go unrestricted to the store; if only we could go back to work, or back to school or back to church… THEN we would be able to make a difference. To make a change. To help others. To serve as the hands and feet of Christ again.

Do you know what a digital footprint is?

A digital footprint is a trail of data you create while using the Internet. It includes the websites you visit, emails you send, and information you submit to online services. A “passive digital footprint” is a data trail you unintentionally leave online (IP address, approximate location, and search history for example). An “active digital footprint” includes data that you intentionally submit online (sending emails, leaving an online review, or posting to social media).*

Do you know what YOUR digital footprint is?

We all are undoubtedly online more often then ever now. Again, there’s only so much you can do in your house, right? So we seek an outlet online. And there’s nothing inherently wrong with that. But what if we decided to use this time and the technological resources that God has blessed us with (because most of us would have gone insane if we were stuck in isolation without internet, social media and Disney+) to continue to make a difference and continue to be the hands and feet of Christ?

If your digital footprint was a literal trail of footprints in the sand, where would it guide people? Would it simply show people the latest TV series on Netflix (what the heck is Tiger King anyways?!), or would it show people a Bible study series on RightNow Media? Would it just be an endless scroll of celebrity news and gossip, or would it be books and articles talking about how to be a better Christian in today’s world? What if our Pinterest boards were full of ways to share the Good News of Christ with our neighbors from our own house windows and doors? (CABC’s children had an excellent and fun DIY craft during Easter Family Fun Day 2.0 that did exactly this.) And what if our Instagram accounts didn’t just fill up with well-filtered selfies, but instead filled up with the real beauty that God made in nature all around us. Would our bank accounts just show another toy or movie purchased to help keep our kids stuck at home occupied, or would it show a donation to Compassion Ministries to help keep a child across the world fed and safe? We may not be able to go and volunteer at our favorite local charity, but those of us still working and receiving a paycheck every week can help support our favorite local charity financially instead.

Just because you are limited in where your physical footprints can go right now, does not mean you are limited in what your digital footprint can do! Therefore, just as Christ said to His disciples during the Great Commission, “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age^.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

* https://techterms.com/definition/digital_footprint

^ This author would just like to state that we are not subtly suggesting we are at the end of the ages right now. We do not know when that day is coming. We just wanted to finish the verse. 🙂

You know the Bible says “Don’t be afraid.” But sometimes anxious thoughts and feelings seem to overtake your heart and mind even when you don’t want them to. There are plenty of helpful scriptures for overcoming fear and anxiety.

Cooperating with God to overcome worry will involve many things; caring for your physical health, optimizing your lifestyle, learning to take charge of your thoughts, and practicing standing firmly on God’s side in the controversy between good and evil. And without question one of the most powerful tools you can use in this journey is God’s Word.

Make it an activity: Consider copying this devotional and cutting out the Scriptures, or write them on cards, and place them around the house to remind you of God’s faithfulness during this Covid-19 crisis. As Dr. Tanksley writes, “God’s got this!” We can trust in Him!

1. Fear is NOT from God.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”   2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV

2. God’s got this!

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with gratitude, make your requests known to God.”   Philippians 4:6 MEV

3. Don’t borrow tomorrow’s troubles.

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”  Matthew 6:34, NIV

4. God is with you. Don’t be afraid.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9 MEV

5. Give your anxiety to Jesus.

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”  1 Peter 5:7 NIV

6. When love comes, fear leaves.

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.”      1 John 4:18 MEV

7. Jesus promised peace in the midst of trouble.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33 NIV

8. God’s peace can point the way.

“Let the peace of God, to which also you are called in one body, rule in your hearts. And be thankful.”   Colossians 3:15 MEV

9. Run into God’s arms, and hang on!

“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath you are the everlasting arms; He will drive out the enemy before you, and will say, “Destroy them.””  Deuteronomy 33:27 MEV

10. With God on your side, other’s opinions don’t matter.

“So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’”  Hebrews 13:6 MEV

May Jesus bless you with His gift of peace today and every day.