Now that Thanksgiving is over, Christmas is in full swing! The Christmas lists are flowing, shopping malls are crowded and our calendars are busier than ever. The beautiful thing about attending church during December is that it reinforces the message of Christmas. The message is the Gospel. You see Jesus was, is and always will be the greatest gift God has ever given to us.
For a child will be born for us,
a son will be given to us,
and the government will be on His shoulders.
He will be named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
Our world was broken by the effects of sin. God's chosen people of Israel had been scattered and persecuted. Worship had to be relegated to a set of rules that kept believers always feeling, "never quite good enough". Jesus left His throne and glory to walk among us as a human to teach, encourage and ultimately die for us. He died for our sins to establish a relationship with God our Father. Jesus humbled himself to arrive into this world in a lowly manger. This world will constantly try to keep Jesus out of the manger. We cannot have Christmas without Christ. Make a special effort to keep Christ as the center of your Christmas this year. Nothing you will buy or receive will last for eternity, only the gift of our Savior in a manger is eternal. Keep Jesus in the manger because without Him, our Christmas would be empty. Donna and I wish you and your family a very merry Christmas.
In Him,
Pastor James