The older I get the more I am convinced we can make
Christmas as stressful, or as peaceful and joyous as we desire. I do believe with the increased pace we are
living today, it has become more stressful for many. The holiday get-togethers,
shopping for just the right gift, and the hanging of indoor and outdoor
decorations all add to making the season more chaotic one. I have to admit this year has been
especially void of the true Christmas spirit, for me. Me
thinks I have let outside influences steal my joy and take my focus off the
real meaning of why I celebrate Christmas.
I have found I am not unique in the “older-than-dirt
brigade”. As we get older trying to come
up with the perfect gifts for loved ones becomes more difficult. This day and age when, if we want something
we go out and by it, makes it tough on those of us who do not have a clue what
the needs of loved ones are. Let’s face it folks, there are enough
distractions in our world to cloud our minds and keep us from focusing on the ‘Reason
for the Season’!
There are two major things, and a zillion smaller ones, that
sadden my heart in this so called age-of enlightenment. One is the great multitudes of children
that are no longer will sit with their families on Christmas Eve listening to
the patriarch of the house read the Christmas Story of how God loved the world
so much He sent His only Son to come and free us from the bondage of sin. As I sat on the edge of the beds of the
multitudes of kids that have passed through my life, the “I want more than
anything” theme always centered on “I wish only to be with my mom and dad in a
peace and happy home”.
If you have had
that in your life, you are truly blessed and should be abundantly thankful.
In recent years I have become a compulsive researcher. I
spend many hours seeking that one pear- of- great price that is hidden in the words of
those who have had victory over the alligators to share with you who avail
yourselves to the Gramps Morning Messages. I found the following pearl in a devotional that I read to my bride each night before we
cash it in for the day.
I believe it is the finest gift I can give to you this
Christmas. The writer began by saying, “I would like to share three passages that
help focus our attention on the true reason we celebrate Christmas – Jesus come
to earth!” The first reason we celebrate
Christmas is John 3:16; the words Jesus spoke to Nicodemus: “For God so loved the world that he gave his
one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal
life.”
When Adam and Eve
disobeyed God, sin entered the world and perfect fellowship between God and
humankind was broken. Jesus came to
remove the barrier between God and humanity by dying on the cross and making
salvation possible for those who turn from their sins, place their faith in
God, and follow daily in obedience to His Word. We celebrate Christmas because Jesus came
into the world to make reconciliation between us and God possible. Wow, can you say Hallelujah for that this
morning?
The second passage that
helps our focus is John 10:10 where Jesus says, “I have come that they may have life and
have it to the full.” Jesus came
that we may discover the life that God intends for all who follow Him. A life that experiences the virtues of the
Spirit (Galatians 2:11-23; 2 Cor. 6:6-10; Eph. 4:2; 5:9’ Phil 4:8-9 and Col.
3:12-15). Which comes through a
relationship with Christ and a surrendering of our lives to the leading of the
Holy Spirit. We celebrate Christmas
because Jesus came so that we might receive all that God intends for our lives
to be.
The third passage is
John 14:1-4; “Do not let your hearts be
troubled. You believe in God; believe
also in me. My Father’s house has many
rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to
prepare a place for you? And if I go and
prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you
also may be where I am.”
Jesus’ resurrection
and His ascension to heaven gives us, as believers, the hope of eternal life
with God. We celebrate Christmas because
Jesus came that those who place their faith in Him will live with God forever.
We celebrate Jesus’ birth because it honors the Savior who
came into the world. Several thousand
years ago, the angels proclaimed this great news to the shepherds. This news brought with it the message of
hope, peace, and salvation for the world.
We, as believers, have the opportunity of pointing others to
the good news of Jesus’ coming and the difference it can make in their
lives. The world needs to understand
that Christmas is more than programs, parties, and presents. Our world must be guided to the truth that
the true meaning of Christmas is found in the birth of Jesus and the difference
His coming has made on the world.
So my friends, my challenge to you his Christmas Season is
to turn off all the electronic devices and gather your loved ones together and
share the story once again that Jesus loved you so much He came to die on a
hideous cross so that one day you can be with Him for all eternity in the that
place He has prepared for His children.
Folks, last Christmas we celebrated Jesus’ coming with our
family intact. This Christmas there will
be an empty chair at our table. I tell
you this only to challenge you to make sure you are sharing God’s love and His
salvation with your family, friends and even your enemies, if you have
opportunity for you have no guarantees you, too, won’t have an empty chair at
your table.
Blessings,
Gramps
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