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Somebody Loves You

Raul Ries

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Devotionals by Raul Ries

SATURDAY November 30, 2024

The Wonder of Christmas

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16

The phrase “Jesus is the reason for the season” became very popular because it helped refocus people’s attention on the birth of Christ, instead of being caught up in a commercialized Christmas. As usual, way before Thanksgiving, the stores are encouraging early Christmas shopping to boost their season’s profits. There is nothing wrong with buying gifts. We express our love by giving them, but where is the wonder of Christmas?

God expressed His deep love for us when He gave us the gift of His Only Begotten Son. Through the gift of Christ, we receive the forgiveness of our sins and salvation. That is the wonder of Christmas. Beholding that very truth transforms our thinking into what really matters most.

There are family members and friends who may still be living their lives without knowing Christ. In the way you celebrate Christmas this year, how will you make Jesus known to them? What about inviting them to see a children’s choir or to go to a Christmas Eve church service? There are many other events held this time of year that will give people an opportunity to hear a Christmas message.

Christmas is also a time of generosity––giving, loving and caring. It is a time of great joy. Families can show God’s love through getting involved with Operation Christmas Child––a project organized by Samaritan’s Purse to bless children all over the world, in the name of Jesus, with a shoebox filled with small gifts. There are many other needs around us––a struggling family or a single mother or father who you could bless. What about widows, orphans and the elderly? They are not to be forgotten.

However you choose to celebrate Christmas, do not lose the wonder of the season––it’s all about Jesus Christ. Share the wonder of His love with someone.

Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. The only requirement is to believe in Him. The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life!
~Corrie ten Boom~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!

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About Somebody Loves You

'Somebody Loves You' program is designed to equip listeners with the necessary tools to live out their faith. 'Somebody Loves You' features Raul Ries' humorous, sensible and comprehensible teaching of God's Word.

About Raul Ries

Raul Ries is the Senior Pastor of Calvary Chapel Golden Springs and President of Somebody Loves You Ministries. After his miraculous conversion in 1971, Raul began to read and study the Bible extensively even though he had a limited education. In 1974 he began a home Bible study with seven other committed individuals. Soon, he started to preach and counsel youth during the noon hour at his former high school, Baldwin Park High. Calvary Chapel West Covina grew out of Raul's home fellowship, as well as his Kung-Fu studio, and was soon meeting weekly at an old converted Safeway store. In 1993, the congregation moved to Diamond Bar and occupied a 101,000 square-foot corporate building on 28 acres. Calvary Chapel Golden Springs (as it is now called) draws between 10,000 - 12,000 in attendance weekly.

Author of several books, including Fury to Freedom (the story of his early life and dramatic conversion), Raul Ries has also produced three films: Fury to Freedom (feature film dramatization of the book); A Quiet Hope (a riveting and stirring documentary detailing seven soldier's accounts of the Vietnam War and its aftermath); and A Venture in Faith (a documentary of the history of the Calvary Chapel movement).

Contact Somebody Loves You with Raul Ries

Mailing Address
Somebody Loves You Radio
P.O. Box 4440
Diamond Bar, CA 91765

Telephone
(909) 396-1884