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| Image taken from: http://the3inone.wordpress.com |
I wonder if you’ve already guessed what’s missing from the title of
this blog. I know it’s not really that difficult. At this time of year when
everyone is celebrating and looking forward to time off work and spending that
time with family and friends, I doubt it would take anyone long to work out
what the words is and the letters that are missing. However, there is a
fundamental problem that we want to highlight. Amongst the tinsel, the frantic
shopping, the presents, the parties, and the stress, have we forgotten what
this season is really all about? I realize that December was not the time when
Christ was born in Bethlehem, but it is the time when we are supposed to think
about that tremendous event. Do we? What thought have you given to the Christian
message of “a Saviour which is Christ the Lord”?
As that short quote from Luke’s Gospel reminds us, the person who was
born in Bethlehem was important, even unique. Even the sceptic or atheist has
to accept that “Jesus came into the world”. There is historical evidence to
confirm it. For them, the difficulty arises with the Biblical record that the
baby Jesus was none other than “Christ the Lord” – the Son of God. If Christmas
was about the birth of just another baby, it would be nothing special or
significant. However, it is not about just another birth, but about the birth
of the Son of God by the virgin Mary – a miraculous event! That’s something
worth remembering and celebrating. The Son of God has become man!
But that begs the question “why?” The Bible provides the answer: “Christ
Jesus came into the world to save sinners”. God sent His Son, and Jesus Christ came,
that we, you and I, might be forgiven, cleansed, and brought back to God. Each
of us has a problem called sin – simple disobedience, a rejection of God’s Law
and standards. That problem of sin keeps us at a distance from God and could
separate us from Him eternally. The Lord Jesus came, born in Bethlehem, lived
amongst men, and died upon a Roman cross at Calvary, a place outside of the
city of Jerusalem, to save us from the penalty of our sin.
Our prayer is that this Christmas you might pause and think about the
real significance of this time of year. Amidst all the family, friends, and
food, we hope that you might spare a thought for the Son of God who came to save
you and I, to give His life that we might be forgiven. That was God’s gift to
men and women like us. Are you prepared to accept it?
