Merry Christmas

December 20, 2007

It’s almost here- Christmas Day- a day for celebrating the fact that our Lord Jesus Christ came to live among fallen humanity. Yet, His ultimate purpose was more than living among us. He came to die for sinners and to be raised from death to life. I love the words of the hymn by Charles Wesley-
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth

That is what Christmas is about- Christ came that sinners condemned in sin and under the judgment of God, could have a second birth. Think of the wonder of it. It is mind boggling and utterly beyond us. Yet, it is so simple that children can grasp it. If you have experienced the second birth, Christmas is a day for you to rejoice and celebrate! Here are a few suggestions that might just help you as you look to honor Christ on Christmas Day.
Read (Slowly and thoughtfully) the account of Christ’s birth from Luke 2:1-20.
Get up early or stay up late or find a suitable time to just be still for five or ten minutes and do nothing but think about Christ coming into the world for the purpose of dying for sinners.
Express to Him your thankfulness for your salvation.
Call somebody that could use a word of encouragement and let them know that you love and care for them.
Remember to pray for the men and women in our Armed Forces that are away from their families on Christmas Day. Many are in harms way fighting for our national security and the preservation of the freedoms we enjoy.
Don’t forget to pray for missionaries that are fighting a spiritual battle for the souls of men. What a blessing an email to someone overseas could be on Christmas Day!
If you are traveling, go out of your way to be sensitive and courteous to store and hotel clerks that are working on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Don’t forget to speak a word of appreciation to a Police Officer or other emergency personnel you might see on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

Merry Christmas to you and yours,
Pastor Chuck