Christmas is secular. The birth
of Jesus is sacred... Holy: God clothed His only begotten beloved Son in flesh
to dwell among mankind. It is OK for saints to celebrate Christmas -- even
though we are three months or so late in the date – even though it is
commercialized to the point of vulgarity. The world invented Christmas and
picked the date so what can we expect. But it is more OK to celebrate the birth
of Jesus, and absolutely essential that we celebrate the death and resurrection
of our Lord. The God-Man came to earth for one omnipotent purpose: To die and
be resurrected. In death He put Death in its grave destroying the hideous sting
of death. In resurrection He gave His children -- the saints who call upon His
name -- their hope eternal... to live forever with Him in a far better place.
This has been God’s ageless plan since before “In the Beginning”… to redeem and
restore His creation... to rescue a people bearing His likeness.
Beyond the decorated tree, gift
giving, the carols, the mistletoe and eggnog... let’s remember the sobering
reality of the human condition: We are, each one of us, either Eternally Saved
in sacred betrothal to our Lord and Savior, or Eternally Lost... blinded by
this world of dark deception that draws our misplaced love. And, the God who
died to give us the Blessed Hope of eternal life with Himself in paradise... this
same God holds our last breath in His hand, yearning for indifferent hearts to
heed His call before their last breath is released. This Christmas let us kneel
in awe of the God-Man who loved the
unlovable and did the unthinkable, that “filthy rags” – like me and you -- might
have the humanly unattainable. He asks us to give in submission to His
Lordship that which we cannot keep – our life, to gain that which we cannot
lose -- His Life. To the Saved... rejoice, for yours is the Kingdom of Heaven!
To the Lost… know this: God is ever ready to save to the uttermost those who
call upon His name... the name of Jesus! Life... True Life – eternally abundant
life – is a free gift of God’s amazing grace, available to whosoever will put
their faith and trust in the God of undisputable love. We can receive God’s
gift of salvation life anytime… anywhere, for it can only be accepted as a gift
with one’s heart.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
MAY GOD’S GRACE…
AND PEACE…
SHINE UPON ONE
AND ALL...
