Merry Christmas

It’s the most wonderful time of the year.

That is the sentiment of so many songs. Hymns that have stood the test of time, and music made popular in cinema.

You know them. Bing Crosby and White Christmas, or Silent Night given to us by a lonely German priest.

It is the music that reminds me of the Glory of God coming to earth as a man that moves me the most at Christmas.

I’m sure that for the many, Jingle Bells might add a little pep to their step. That’s okay. It is still the most wonderful time of the year.

I don’t need to write a lot. Most know the reason and Joy of the first Christmas.

The lyrics of Oh Holy Night tell us.

O Holy night! The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
'Til He appears and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees; O hear the Angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born
O night, O Holy night, O night divine!

A plan of redemption for all of mankind. God’s plan to open the gates of heaven for a sinful world. A free gift from God. The price of sin paid by the sacrifice of Deity. Jesus Christ.

I read this from @GregLaurie on X(twitter).

When we revisit the Christmas story, the problem is that we can become so familiar with it that we become indifferent toward it. In time, new things become old things. And Christmas can become an old story for us. But let’s not miss the entire point of Christmas.

The story doesn’t really start in Bethlehem; it starts long before, in another time and place. The time was eternity, and the place was Heaven. Before there was a planet called Earth, before there were Adam and Eve who ate forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden and brought the curse of sin upon humanity, a decision was made in Heaven.

The decision was that God would have to become a man and die on our behalf. John 1:14 says, “So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son” (NLT).

And Revelation 13:8 describes Him as “the Lamb who was slaughtered before the world was made” (NLT).

Yes, it did happen that way. It was so significant that the recording of time is known as, Before Christ, (BC). And Anno Domini, (AD) Latin for in the year of the Lord. It counts the years beginning with the birth of Christ. That of course is Christmas.

I had the thought this week as I was reading the Gospel record of Saint John. John 21:25.

And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.

The most important man of all creation was God himself. He, in the form of His Son, the fullness of Deity, came to earth so that we can be free from sin and enjoy everlasting life with Him in the eternal home of Heaven.

I pray that all will join me one day in that eternal home. It is only possible through the gift of God, Jesus Christ. Trust in Him for salvation. Turn away from sin and confess yours to Him. Accept His forgiveness.

What a wonderful thing. We’ll enjoy living in His presence for eternity.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.