Christmas is a time for family, friends and loved ones to gather together and enjoy the season. With all the activity of the season, everyone going everyplace shopping, ordering gifts, running here and there, we forget what the season truly represents – the birth of Jesus Christ.
I put forward a writing that sums up His birth and life quite well:
By JAMES ALLAN FRANCIS
| Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another obscure village, where He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty, and then for three years He was an itinerant preacher. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never owned a home. He never had a family. He never went to college. He never put his foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place where He was born. He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but Himself. He had nothing to do with this world except the naked power of His divine manhood. While still a young man, the tide of public opinion turned against Him. His friends ran away. One of them denied Him. He was turned over to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed to a cross between two thieves. His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth while He was dying—and that was his coat. When he was dead He was taken down and laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend. Nineteen (now twenty) wide centuries have come and gone and today He is the centerpiece of the human race and the leader of the column of progress. I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, and all the navies that ever were built, and all the parliaments that ever sat, all the kings that ever reigned, put together have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as has that One Solitary Life.
Whether you consider yourself of Christian faith or some other, or an atheist — the reason for the season is the birth of Jesus Christ. You may deny it, you may loath the thought, you may worship the Devil; you just hate Christmas – but the reason for the season is the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It’s not Santa Claus, reindeer, snowmen, jingle bells, Christmas trees, presents, sweet things to eat, caroling, Christmas movies on TV, or anything other than the birthday of Jesus Christ. We’ve lost the reason for the season with all the advertising and everyone trying to get “ready” for Christmas. I encourage everyone to take time out to remember Jesus and his message to us. I am a sinner, and need God’s love and forgiveness. If you are troubled, if you seek redemption, if you seek forgiveness, if you seek guidance: ask for Jesus to come into your life. For those of you who don’t believe, please do a favor for us and yourselves, remain sane, civil, calm, and respectful of others during Christmas. With all the attacks and attitudes against Christians, both on foreign soil and here at home, by actions and some media’s hate for Christians, please give us one day to celebrate without strife, fervor, or hate in your soul. Happy Birthday Jesus! Thank you for giving us a way to everlasting life and to love our neighbors as we love You. The rotting of America from within is slowly, ever so slowly improving. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all! |
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