A Different Kind of Weight Loss Plan
It's that time of year again. The clock struck midnight, the calendar flipped to January, and suddenly everyone's talking about their resolutions. Weight loss usually tops the charts. Gym memberships skyrocket, salad sales increase dramatically, and social media feeds fill with "new year, new me" declarations.
While physical health goals are certainly commendable (and something this poor body of mine could benefit from), statistics show that by February, about 80% of these well-intentioned resolutions will have been abandoned. The treadmills will empty, the salad containers will be pushed to the back of the fridge, and life will resume its comfortable, familiar patterns.
But what if I told you there's another kind of weight loss that might be more worth pursuing this year?
The Year to Come: Fixing Our Eyes
Today is the final day of the year. We started this month with anticipation, celebrated the birth, and reflected on the promise. Now, as one year closes and another opens, our final devotion must focus on carrying the Christ-centered message forward.
The Christmas story is the beginning of God's redemption plan, but it is not the end. The manger leads to the ministry, the miracles, the cross, and the empty tomb.
Our vision for the new year must be shaped by the ultimate destination of the Christ-child: the triumphant King. The best way to enter a new season is to keep Christ squarely in our field of vision.
Wrapped in His Promise
We are one day away from the New Year. Today is a great day to look back over the month and realize that everything we need for the future is wrapped up in the promise of the manger.
The Christmas story isn't just a sweet memory. It is a guarantee of God's provision for everything to come. The most powerful promise we have for the next twelve months is affirmed by the fact that God has already fulfilled the ultimate promise.
Paul’s words to the Philippians are a beautiful summary of the meaning of Christmas (Philippians 4:19, KJV): "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
Ringing the Bells of Witness
As we move toward the New Year, let's discuss the symbolism of bells, which we hear so often at this time of year. Bells are designed to be heard far and wide, announcing important news, signaling celebration, or calling people to attention.
The triumphant ringing of the Christmas season should remind us of our calling to be a witness to the good news we’ve spent the whole month reflecting on.
The prophet Isaiah captured the joy of the messenger perfectly (Isaiah 52:7, KJV): "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!"
The Triumphs of the Tiny
We have been focused this month on God's great, cosmic plan. But let's take a moment today to appreciate the profound truth of God working through what is small and weak.
The entire Christmas story is a series of tiny, humble triumphs:
A tiny, overlooked village (Bethlehem).
A tiny, powerless family (Mary and Joseph).
A tiny, helpless infant (Jesus).
God chose the smallest package possible—a vulnerable baby—to deliver the greatest power the world has ever known. This is a recurring theme in God's kingdom.
Paul affirms this principle in 1 Corinthians 1:27 (KJV): "But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty."