Text: “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you
good news of a great joy which shall be for all people; for today in the city
of David, there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
‘Tis
the season to be jolly! Can it
really be that it’s time again for the tinsel, carols, parties, candy canes and
a Santa on every corner? If the
‘man on the street’ reporter were to ask the passersby if they knew what
Christmas was all about, they would say with assurance, “Of course! It’s Jesus’ birthday!”
I
find it strange and sad that the same people who believe in the BABY Jesus refuse to
believe in the MAN Jesus –
Christmas without Easter. They can
easily accept the birth in the manger and the fulfillment of prophecy - a humble birth, etc. But the subject of
His death and resurrection is another matter completely. To believe that He died for us
individually so that we might live forever takes a lot more faith.
Statistics
prove that there are more suicides, depression and crimes during this season
than any other. Can it be that,
for whatever reason, too many people never take Him out of the manger? Never follow Him through the miracles,
the garden or the tomb? Never realize that He can live in their hearts and meet
their deepest need?
This
is the Christ of Christmas fulfilled to become the Christ of Easter. They cannot be separated.
Lord, our lives miss everything if we leave
You in the manger. Thank you for
coming to us that way…but remind us often not to leave
You there. Amen.
Amen!
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