This Christmas, what does it mean to you personally? Most for long time have experience Christmas without Christ's presence. And it's just like celebrating birthday without the person whose birthday is  present! This story of Christmas should reminds us that we are seeking to be like Jesus, not men; we want the kingdom of God, not to be a good Christian.

This Christmas we must go back to the core and be vigilant to submit ourselves passionately to the Holy Spirit and the words of Jesus, reaching for the holy standards of the kingdom of God. Any focus or goal other than Christ Himself will become a source of deception in the days ahead.

Look at what Jesus did with common men. In just 3-1/2 years, average men and women were transformed into disciples, literally filled with the Spirit of God. They did not shrink at suffering; they did not withdraw from sacrifice. These ordinary people were equipped with spiritual authority over demons and exercised power over illnesses. They were the living proof that Christ transforms people. Three and a half years with Jesus will produce in them what it did in them: the kingdom of God! Those men were as average and human as we are. The difference between them and us is Jesus. He is the only difference.

One may argue that this occurred 2,000 years ago. True, but “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8, NKJV). Or you may say, “But they actually heard Jesus speak; they saw His miracles!” The same Spirit that worked through Jesus in the first century is poured out upon us today. So there's no excuse for from being fearless like those disciples.

The Holy Spirit has not grown old and weak. Indeed, the same words Jesus uttered in the first century are “living and powerful” in the hearts of men today (Heb. 4:12). So Jesus is the same, the Holy Spirit is being poured out, and the words of Christ still apply. We have no excuses. The eternal One who established His kingdom in men two millennia ago is fully capable of producing it in us today. All we need is undiluted Jesus. All we need are hearts that will not be satisfied with something or someone less than Him.

If we divide over forms of doctrines and styles of church, we will miss completely the true purpose of being a true disciple of Christ. Let's make it plain: God is not raising up “ministries”; He is trying to convert people into Christianity. He is raising up kingdom's disciples. After we recognize that the goal is not becoming a good church goer but discipleship, we will begin to see the power of Christ restored in our life.

We must all become individuals whose burning passion is conformity to Jesus Christ. Is this not the highest passion of our heart, to possess the likeness of Christ? From heaven’s view, the issue is will we become people who are seeking hard after Christ? God can use practically any  of us if  we are genuinely seeking Him. The outward form is not the issue with the Almighty—the true issue is the posture of the human heart before Him. As you celebrate this Christmas, may your mind be opened to see the real meaning of the coming of Messiah on earth.