Christmas Giving

At Christmas time you will probably experience love, joy, peace, music, excitement, anticipation, decorations, and greetings.  However, what is experienced, far more than anything else, is the act of giving.  We give gifts to those we love and appreciate, and of course, giving brings joy, excitement, and anticipation. Examining the Biblical Christmas Story reveals many elements of giving.

First, God gave.  The act of giving at Christmas began with the wonderful gift of God’s son, the Lord Jesus Christ.  This giving is explained in John’s gospel which says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).  God gave his son.

Second, the Angel gave.  The angel that appeared to the shepherds on the Judean hillside gave the great news of the birth of Jesus Christ.  The gospel of Luke tells us, “An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:9-11).  The angel gave good news.

Third, the Shepherds gave.  After hearing the good news, we are told that the shepherds “Hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them” (Luke 2:16-18).  Then the shepherds gave by spreading the word about the birth of the Savior.  The shepherds gave words of inspiration.

Fourth, the Magi gave.  Not only did the Magi come from the east, but they came with a purpose – to worship the Savior and to present him gifts.  Scripture says, “They saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh” (Matthew 2;11).  The Magi gave gifts and worship.

As we give gifts to family and friends this year, let’s take time to think about Jesus, who should be the focus of our giving.  He is the reason that we celebrate Christmas.  He is the gift that was given.  Through Him we have been offered eternal life.  “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).  And, this wonderful gift can be ours by believing in Christ and personally receiving him into our lives. “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).

The Surpeise of the Ages

Because surprises can be negative or positive, people either dislike them or thoroughly enjoy them. A surprise suggests both the unexpected and the unanticipated.  If a surprise is negative it is disliked, hated, or detested.  When the surprise is positive it usually brings a smile to the face and joy to the heart.

After Jesus died and was buried, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to his tomb. There they were given a wonderful surprise that was explained this way: “The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you” (Matthew 28:5-7).  What a wonderful surprise this must have been.  Not only was Jesus not in the tomb but an angel of the Lord told them that he had in fact risen from the dead and they should quickly go and tell the disciples this wonderful news.

We celebrate this great surprise today and commemorate it as Resurrection Sunday.  The Bible tells us that Jesus “Himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness” (I Peter 2:24).  Jesus’ death satisfied the penalty for our sin which he voluntarily paid for all mankind.  By faith and trust in Him we can enjoy and experience everlasting life – “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).  By believing in Jesus and receiving him by faith we become part of God’s forever family. “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).

No wonder the songwriter (Alfred Henry Ackley, 1933) wrote the music and these words that express that Jesus is a living Savior. “I serve a risen savoir, he’s in the world today.  I know that He is living whatever men may say.  I see his hand of mercy; I hear his voice of cheer. And just the time I need him, he’s always near.  He lives.  He lives.  Christ Jesus lives today.  He walks with me and talks with me, along life’s narrow way.  He lives.  He lives.  Salvation to impart.  You ask me how I know he lives; He lives within my heart.”

Any individual can personally apply this surprise of the ages to their own life by simply believing in Jesus and putting complete trust in Him.  All of this takes place because of God’s grace.  “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).  The part we play is to simply believe and receive this wonderful gift.  “Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” (I John 5:10-12).  Allow Jesus’ resurrection, the surprise of the ages, to impact your life.

Good Friday

Good Friday is a day that is used to help Christians around the world remember the crucifixion of Christ.  The name "Good Friday" is generally believed to be a corruption of the real name “God’s Friday.”  On Good Friday, churches all across our nation hold special services of worship to help Christians remember the great sacrifice that Christ paid when He died on the cross for us.  I trust that you will spend some time before (or on) Good Friday reflecting on this significant event in the life of our Lord, in the life of the church, and in your life.

The crucifixion of Christ was a painful and terrible death – but it was extremely important that He died.  Why?  Peter reminds us, “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God” (I Peter 3:18).  And the writer of Hebrews adds to that by reminding us that, “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22).

Without the death of Christ we would never be brought into a right relationship with God or have our sins forgiven.  As we meditate on the things that happened to Christ during Passion Week (the time from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday), let’s thank God for His great love for us.  “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

What's In a Name?

When I was in elementary school I was fascinated with a teacher by the name of Bonnie Sue.  Of course, everyone, including me, called her, “Teacher.”  Her name wasn’t unusual, but it had meaning for me because she was a wonderful, loving, caring teacher.  What’s in a name?  A verse of Scripture that is read and re-read every Christmas presents four names for Jesus which are not only beautiful names but names that have great significance for all mankind.  These names also help explain why He came to this earth.  “For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Might God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

1)    Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor.  He not only came to give unusual help and wise advice to everyone who wants to receive it, but He also delights in providing this help for you and me.  Are you willing to receive counsel that He offers?  Read the Bible, His Word.  Listen to Him as you read and meditate.  Obediently do what He commands.

2)    Jesus is the Mighty God.  He has strength, power and might that is unparalleled.  Just imagine: this awesome power of the God of the universe is available to you and me today.  He is the source of strength to live day to day whether we are going through the valleys of uncertainty or the mountains of joy.  Have you come to Him for strength during a time of need?  He wants you to experience His might and His power.

3)    Our Lord is the Everlasting Father.  There is no beginning or end to Him so we can count on Him no matter what the circumstances in which we find ourselves.  He will not leave us.  As a Father He is also a personal God in whom we can find joy and delight.  Have you come to Christ and experienced His loving, caring hand?  He always stands with open arms to receive individuals into His forever family.

4)    He is the Prince of Peace.  He is quick to remove everything that disturbs and disrupts peace while at the same time He provides calmness and quiet assurance.  Through Him we can have the peace of God to calm us through uncertain circumstances and peace with God whereby we become children of God through our personal faith and trust in Him as our only Savior from sin.  Have you come to Him for both these kinds of peace?

What is in a name?  Lots.  But in the name of Jesus there is contained so much more than in any other name.  With Him there is fullness of joy forever more (Psalm 16:11).  As you celebrate Christmas this year and as you begin the new year, let Jesus be your Wonderful Counselor, your Mighty God, Your Everlasting Father and your Prince of Peace.