Friday, December 25, 2015

MY TWO CENTS ON CHRISTMAS

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...

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