This Christmas, we pause to reflect on the miracle of Jesus’ birth as the spark that led to a Spirit-filled Church. As we celebrate, may we be reminded of our calling to bear one another’s burdens.
A Season of Gratitude and Purpose
As we celebrate the Christmas season, our hearts are filled with gratitude for the birth of Jesus: the moment Heaven touched earth, and hope was born in a manger. This miraculous beginning was not just the start of a beautiful story; it was the launch of God’s redemptive plan for humanity. Through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, we received the gift of salvation and the promise of eternity in Heaven. But the story didn’t end there.
The birth of Jesus also set the stage for something extraordinary here on earth: the creation of His Church. In Acts 2, we witness the fulfillment of Christ’s promise as the Holy Spirit descends, and the first believers become a Spirit-filled community. This wasn’t just a gathering; it was the birth of a movement. A family. A mission.
The Church Was Born to Bear Burdens
Galatians 6:2 reminds us to “carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” This verse isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a calling. And it’s one the early Church embraced wholeheartedly.
In Acts 2:42-47, we see believers devoted to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer. Their unity went far beyond weekly meetings; they shared their lives. “All the believers were together and had everything in common.” They walked through joys and hardships side by side, embodying the kind of fellowship that transforms hearts and communities.
Generosity Was Their Language of Love
Later, in Acts 4:32-37, we see radical generosity in action. Believers sold possessions and distributed resources so that no one was in need. And this wasn’t driven by obligation, but rather it flowed from hearts transformed by the Holy Spirit. Needs were met not through systems, but through Spirit-led compassion.
The Spirit Within: Caring for the Temple
When the Holy Spirit was poured out in Acts 2, it didn’t just empower the Church, it indwelled the believer. Scripture tells us in 1 Corinthians 6:19 that our bodies are now temples of the Holy Spirit. This truth reframes how we view wellness, stewardship, and care: not as self-help, but as a sacred responsibility.
Honoring God Through Biblical Wellness
As Christians, we’re called to honor God in every area of our lives, including how we care for our bodies. At its core, biblical wellness encourages believers to align daily habits with godly principles: practicing gratitude, pursuing physical activity and healthy nutrition as acts of worship, cultivating a disciplined mind rooted in truth, and building relationships within a supportive Christian community.
Caring for our bodies is not just about physical health; it’s about honoring the dwelling place of God. When we steward our health well, we reflect His image more clearly and serve others more fully. This includes rest, nourishment, movement, and mental peace...all of which allow us to live out our calling with strength and joy.
As a Christian health care sharing ministry, this truth is foundational. We don’t just share in one another’s medical needs; we affirm that each body is a vessel of divine purpose. Supporting one another in health is a way of honoring God’s design and continuing the legacy of the early Church: meeting needs, sharing burdens, and caring for the whole person.
Today’s Church: A Living Legacy
Medi-Share Members continue this legacy. We are not just individuals with shared beliefs, but a spiritual family committed to bearing one another’s burdens. Whether through prayer, financial support, or simply showing up in times of need, we reflect the heart of the early Church.
Christmas Is a Call to Community
Christmas is a time when we gather with loved ones, exchange gifts, and celebrate joy. But it’s also a time to remember that Jesus came to establish the Church, one that would help carry each other through life’s highs and lows. His birth led to our salvation, and our salvation led to a mission: to love, serve, and share.
The Gift That Keeps Giving
This season, let’s reflect on the full impact of Jesus’ birth. Yes, it gave us eternal hope. But it also gave us one other. As we celebrate the Savior’s arrival, let's recommit to living as the Church He envisioned: unified, generous, and deeply connected.
Let’s be people who don’t just attend church; we embody it. Let’s be burden-bearers.
Let’s be the family of God.
