Christmas is trying to tell you something.
Because America is exalting evil, America also feels it must shame Christmas. This year, celebrating Christmas feels forced. Many believers find themselves defensive as they celebrate this joyous and miraculous holiday. Christians can feel helpless and downhearted in the face of this avalanche of depravity.
These intense feelings should come as no surprise. Jesus warned us that in the last days it would be about feelings—unnatural feelings. Matthew 24:12, “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.”
We are watching Americans become inhuman—driven by passions that are utterly unnatural.
The battlefield is now in the realm of the emotions. We are watching Americans become inhuman—driven by passions that are utterly unnatural.
Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:1-5, “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power.”
We, as children of God, are often vexed by the hatred and perversion that is showcased in our culture.
2 Peter 2:7-8 tells us, “(God) delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked, for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds.”
It is a new experience for American Christians to face blatant persecution and public filth which even takes place right in front of our children. In this new world we have new feelings. We see that natural emotions have died in unbelievers. We see that believers—just as with Lot in Sodom—are vexed by everything they see. And, at this time of the year, all those feelings are intensified.
While we may be struggling to defend Christmas—ironically, Christmas is actually trying to speak to us.
Let’s clear away the smoke and dust, and hear from God. While we may be struggling to defend Christmas—ironically, Christmas is actually trying to speak to us.
The first Christmas provides us with the strongest argument for hope and joy in this dark time. I will lay out the reasons why—and I will provoke us to rebel against the vileness and despair, by receiving peace, joy, and great hope.
The first Christmas happened when evil controlled the world which was under total Roman domination. All rights were suspended. And—at the moment of Jesus’ birth—the global tyranny had reached its zenith. Everyone in the known world was on the move because of an edict from Caesar Augustus. Talk about globalism. Talk about hedonism.
Jesus arrived just as Daniel chapter 7 said He would. Daniel said it would be when the fourth empire would reach its peak. At the time Christ was born, the Roman Empire was at the height of its power and size—and we know what affect Christianity had on bringing that Empire down.
God forced the whole of the Roman world to return home, just to get Joseph and Mary back to Bethlehem.
God forced the whole of the Roman world to return home, just to get Joseph and Mary back to Bethlehem.
At the time, it must have seemed to God’s people that evil operated unchallenged. But God was in such total control of the situation, that He provoked Caesar Augustus to write a law which would put everyone in his Empire on a trip back to their place of birth. He did it to force Joseph and Mary all the way from their native Nazareth, back to the City of David, Bethlehem.
Micah 5:2, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One Who is to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.”
Beloved, God is still in total control of our world. Christmas is the divine pause button to quell all of our fears and anxieties. It is so powerful that it compelled the Kings of the east to leave their thrones for two years, in order to come and worship Him. The angels told the shepherds to leave their sheep and go and see this wonderful thing that had happened.
We can do that today! There is no reason why we should allow the wild raging of the wicked to steal our celebration. There is no reason to look at their vain threats, when we can join the triumph of the skies!
O come, let us adore Him!
GLORY!!!!!
Bless you and thank you for your wise words. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Thank-you, Mario, for that inspiring message; you are speaking for many of us this season!
I too, am weary of the spiritual battle we are wading through on a daily basis. and I appreciate your encouragement: we are in the same boat, but at least it’s floating!!
Here in rural NW Montana we celebrate Christmas like generations ago. Our schools sing and perform Christmas carols and hymns. We are truly blessed here.
Thanks for that lovely encouraging message Mario.
Pauline from NZ
Thank you Mario and all the Speakers who brought Glory God to Tent meetings.No one can sit on the Fence 2023 we are fighting the Spirit of Jezabel.We the intercessors continually pray the Holy Spirit to be with you and Gods army of Special forces are with you.May you all be blessed in this Christmas season..
Jesus paid the price for each and every one of these under satans sway. We who are adopted sons and daughters should go ahead and celebrate this amazing remembrance. Praying for the unsaved which is all who aren’t.
Praise be unto God almighty! Let God arise and his enemies be scattered! Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for coming to this earth and for dieing for us, so we can spend eternity with you. Our trials here are so insignificant when compared to the glorious future we will have with you for all eternity. Praise God! Praise God!
Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year to all of you
Amen! Thank you, Mario! Hal-lê-lu-jah! Hal-lê-lu-jah! Hal-lê-lu-jah!
God bless you and your family.
Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year .
Let us celebrate Jesus !
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!
Christmas is every day, as Jesus is our Lord and Savior. The U.S.money has inscribed on it “In God We Trust” so our monetary exchanges are actually a prayer too in addition to being a way to buy and sell. I pray that our money will not be allowed to become a digital currency, as that would be doom for all. Please pray that our currency will remain intact, that In God We Trust will never be removed, and digital money be eschewed and never put into circlation or that digital passports be denied existence too. Christmas can be celebrated every day as Jesus lives in our hearts. Thank you so much for your beautiful Christmas prayer and reminder of joy and hope. The richest persons alive are the ones who love Jesus and have Jesus in their hearts. Merry Christmas. margaret-anne ci
Agree completely.
Thank you for reminding us to celebrate Jesus.
Evil has a very bad habit of showing off how good GOOD really is.
Good has a great way of showing off how bad EVIL really is!
THANK YOU JESUS for coming in such a way as to enter into our ENTIRE human experience and not only remain without sin, but take OUR sin away!!
You are SO GOOD to us Lord!
Thank you, Mario. This needed to be said and read. May God, His Son, and Holy Spirit continue to use you mightily! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
Thank you Mario for this article of truth, I love it! God is love and truth, and there’s still some still on the earth. Oh come let us adore Him. Let His love arise within us and keep our focus on His reality, everything else is sinking sand.
I watch you on Flashpoint….its wonderful and tremendous how you’re bringing the Gospel of Salvatiom to many that are hungry and dont know what for. Thank you
A very Merry Christmas to you and your family.
I very much needed this today. So many “things” get in the way of the true meaning of Christmas. Things we ourselves bring on and things we have no control over. This blog brings us back, reels us in. Thank you.
The same to you and your family and ministry. Lori and I pray for God’s abundance, more open doors, an even higher level of Holy Spirit anointing, and the greatest harvest of souls you have ever experienced! We pray for you daily and bless you in the Name of the Lord!
Amen!! Merry Christmas!!
Thank you Mario this is very encouraging. I have been dealing with strange emotions just like you have described. You put this into words very well. Thank you! Lord, thank You for sending Jesus! Merry Christmas Mario!
Thank you, Mario and all your Ministry Team!🙏♥️🕊
And just like He came at the exact appointed time and place, so will His second coming be! Not early, not late, but in the “fullness of time” as the scripture says. Glory to God in the Highest! 2023 will be a year of a tremendous move of God, readying His chosen for His return… Merry Christmas everyone!
light shines brightest in the greatest darkness. bless you and your ministry. Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas to you and your family Mario🎄🎄
Happy New Year.
Thank You and God Bless You.
can’t wait to see what Gods does next
Through your ministry🙏🙏
You’re exactly right, Mario. Merry Christmas to you and your family and more blessings and joy than you can contain be yours in 2023! 🤗
Thank you for your uplifting article.
This was so needed today. It brings us back to the true meaning of Christmas. Thank you and may our Lord continue to bless you and your family.
Thanks for this reminder and God continue to bless you and your mighty ministry. In the midst of all the turmoil, we still have so much to be thankful for!!
Thank you Mario for your passion that sparks hope and drives me to stand firm in Whom I believe! Merry Christmas. 🎄✝️
Thank You Mario. May you and your family have. Blessed Christmas celebration.🔥
Terrific words Mario. Anointed. The site of our battle is in the emotions, among friends and even listening to some Christian friends. Praise the Lord for the time you take to listen to our Lord. Merry Christmas and we remember Jesus!
Timely word of faith, hope, and love. Joy to the world., the Lord IS come!! Thank you, Mario!
Thank you thank you and praise the Lord! Yes our Lord is King God bless you and your family and all who serve in your ministry that is blessed in so many of us. I was at the Crusade in Fort Myers and it changed my life. I’m so thankful and I wish blessed Christmas !
Thanks Mario, I needed this word
Beautiful and thank, Merry and Holy Christmas to you and yours 🌲
“God is still in in control of our world”
When we look at what’s going on it’s hard to believe that line.
Right now as we look at
Our nation and the world does it look like God is in control?
Amen Mario. I feel the same. As an intercessor I feel the evil around me but I will not be discouraged because we serve a Mighty God. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Blessings! Keep up the good work! Merry CHRISTmas!
Wonderful reminder an explanation. We certainly see incredible depravity here in America now, but God! Thank you for all you are doing to bring people to Jesus, the only hope!
Cam you say who the false prophets are?
Thank you for the beautiful reminder that our God is Eternal and our King is Sovereign.
Thank you Mario for telling it straight, when few ministers or evangelists will.
Merry Christmas to everyone at MMM and their families. My family has been so enriched and empowered by all you do for the Kingdom. I know it comes with a high price, and we’re forever grateful for your obedience and love. God keep you and protect you as you move forward into 2023 and beyond.
There are times I truly believe you are the only one who really gets it!! You speak with Gid given insight and wisdom. I pray all pastors will read it and put it into practice. Anen
Amen.
Christmas is my FAVORITE time of year. I never celebrate Halloween. Halloween is the day I start decorating my home for Christmas.
Thank you and from my family to yours, Merry Christmas and blessed New Year. We appreciate your message and pray for an outpouring of His Holy Spirit upon all flesh.
Thank you for that!
Mario, thank you for speaking truth. God is stronger than any of our emotions or fears. Young Christians face a truly challenging time on all fronts. All seasoned and older Christians need to be coming along side and encouraging. Jesus told of hard things to come but he also promised that he would never leave us or forsake us. It is up to each of us to trust, believe and put into practice what the Holy Spirit is trying to do in our lives. We are to be a light in a very dark world. That is sometimes very difficult but not impossible with the Holy Spirit living through us.
May the Holy Spirit continue to guide you in all you do. I watch you on YouTube, i am 74 and pray for souls to be saved for the kingdom of God. thank you so much. I love your boldness, a true gift from G od. from Hanna City, Illinois
I guess Montana is the very best place to be for Christmas this year . . . . Please pray for the rest of us! Merry Christmas!
Amen!
Merry Christmas to you Mario to you and your Family I Pray you will have an Amazing New Year. May God Bless You All. Sending Our Prayers and Love to You All. Was so Good To get see and hear you A Man of God I had been watching and supporting in Meridian MS. Thank You. Faye Seay
Thank you Mario for your unwavering steadfast stance for Jesus. All Christians need to get bold and speak out for righteousness, as you are doing, and not be concerned about offending those who are offending God. Merry Christmas and thank you for everything that you are doing for the Lord.
Thank you Mario for your encouraging words ! As we walk-in the light and keep our eyes on Jesus we are encouraged in spite of the evil. Christmas reminds me of how much God loves us! We must pray for laborers to spread the gospel and be bold when given an opportunity to share the good news! God bless you and your family! Merry Christmas!
That’s some kind of great insight, Mario. Thank you and Wonderful Christmas to you and Michelle!
Thank you for this wonderful reminder! Merry, Merry CHRISTmas!!’
For unto us, on that day, two thousand years ago, in the City of David, a Savior was born…He was wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger……When GOD sent His Only Begotten Son our lives were changed forever…..If we will believe on HIM and confess our sins, and ask JESUS CHRIST to come into our hearts and be the LORD of our lives—We Will Never Be the Same.
GOD WITH US – EMMANUEL….
Thank You, LORD JESUS CHRIST, for saving my soul and making me whole. YOU changed my life forever and I Rejoice in Proclaiming it this very moment.
HALLELUJAH! Amen
Well said Margaret-Anne! Two Bible verses have kept running through my mind this past year. Isaiah 41:10…Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. & Philippians 4:13…I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Praise God for Jesus this day & every day!
Merry Christmas Mario & Mechele!
Alan, your comment blessed me. I didn’t think there was any school in America where the true meaning of Christmas is honored. Here in SC, with prayer taken out of the schools, the kids are getting involved in demonic rituals, dungeons and dragons, etc. But parents are getting involved, and fighting porn, transgender, etc. in the schools. With God, there is much hope. Your comment is refreshing. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for your encouragement brother Murillo! God bless you and your family. I love you in the Lord.
I decided to look at comments as I didn’t resonate with celebrating Christmas as being “feels forced” here with us. Christmas is still one fun big deal! Go Jesus! Thanks for posting. From near Buffalo, New York