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"Throughout
the Christmas season, we recall that
God's love is found in humble places
and God's peace is offered to all of
us. The simple story we remember during
this season speaks to every generation.
It is the story of a quiet birth in
a little town on the margins of an indifferent
empire. Yet that single event set the
direction of history and still changes
millions of lives. For over two millennia
Christmas has carried the message that
God is with us and because He's with
us, we can always live in hope."
~ George W. Bush
The
story is old and has been told well
over one hundred zillion times. The
story is of an inn, a pregnant virgin,
a stable, a manger, a star and a king.
It's a story that never grows old, that
Someone with a very creative mind and
loving heart planned from the foundation
of the world.
Picture
with me the scroll being unfolded in
a temple in Jerusalem about 740 B.C.
The Pharisees and Levites listen attentively
as a portion of Scripture is read:
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,
Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and
peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne and
over his kingdom, establishing and upholding
it with justice and righteousness from
that time on and forever. The zeal of
the LORD Almighty will accomplish this
(Isaiah 9:6-7).
For
thousands of years the Israelites expected
their Messiah to come in kingly fashion.
But instead of being born in a castle
this king chose just a manger, the humblest
dwelling. Certainly an unpretentious
story like this didn't appear to be
the fulfillment of these words from
Isaiah! The people expected a king who
would be heralded on front page news,
require trumpets, a large audience,
a banquet, fireworks and honor guard.
Surely no Jew, no reporter, would discover
a king in the shape of a tiny newborn
in a stall surrounded by animals and
straw. And no one could imagine how
this one life could change the world!
Instead
of announcing this birth of the King
to the prominent citizens and politicians
of the land....the angels proclaimed
it to a few lowly shepherds.
Imagine
one night.....you and your friends watching
over your sheep, it's dark and cold.
Suddenly, you are engulfed by a bright
light and see what could be a spirit
or an angel, fear overwhelms you as
you hear the angel proclaim:
"Do
not be afraid. I bring you good news
of great joy that will be for all the
people. Today in the town of David a
Savior has been born to you; he is Christ
the Lord. This will be a sign to you:
You will find a baby wrapped in cloths
and lying in a manger." Then, another
company of heavenly host appear with
the angel, they are praising God and
saying, "Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his
favor rests" (Luke 2:8-15).
That
single event, the birth of the Christ-child,
set the direction of history and still
changes millions of lives. This story
of Jesus is a humble story with humble
beginnings, the greatest miracles ever
witnessed, the greatest claims and promises
ever told, the greatest rescue of humankind
from the snare of sin and death ever
made in history and the greatest hope
and display of supernatural love for
all who choose to believe. John 3:16
says, "For God so loved the
world that He gave His only begotten
Son, that whosoever believes in Him
should not perish but have eternal life.”
Jesus
still touches lives today. About two
years ago, I met a woman in her late
20's who attended our Grief Share class.
She could hardly speak about her loss
during the class because the sorrow
she had was so overwhelming. Her brother
had been murdered. Soon after his death
her family told her to leave because
she was planning to go to school against
her parents' will. All family members
were told not to contact her again.
Through these losses she trusted in
Christ personally as her Lord and Savior.
God has answered many of her prayers
and recently, she has been reunited
to her family.
Another
woman writes about her experience in
finding Jesus: "Well, I am one
of those sinners who had to check out
everything before accepting Jesus into
my heart. With intensity, I sought God
everywhere...the Bahai faith, Quaker
meetings and more. I turned to the Word,
the Bible, because I love to read. About
this time, someone said to me, 'If Jesus
came here for our sins and was crucified
and rose again for us, why can't that
be enough for you? Why isn't Jesus enough
for you?’ This question really
shook me up. I had to ask myself. ‘Why
isn't Jesus enough for me? Why isn't
what he did enough?’ I remember
the day when I began to understand that
I am a sinner and that I badly need
a Savior! I read about asking Jesus
to be the Lord of my life. I prayed
and since then, He is my Best Friend
ever! From that time, I have enjoyed
that peace that surpasses all understanding!
“
Maybe
you have been asked that same question
"Is Jesus enough?” Can you
really trust Him with your life? Is
the forgiveness He offers enough to
cleanse you? Is His offer of eternal
life something you can count on? Is
this Jesus powerful enough to change
your life today and give you courage
to face tomorrow? As you are faced with
these questions hear what Jesus says
in the New Testament:
"I
am the way, the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father but by me."
"I
am the resurrection and the life......he
who believes in me will live."
"I
am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning
and the end."
"I
am the good shepherd.....I lay down
my life for the sheep."
"I
am going to prepare a place for you
and will come back for you."
This
Christmas season, take time to share
this eternal message of salvation, God’s
greatest gift to humankind. Let others
know that when you choose Jesus, when
He is at the center of all you do, you
can discover peace and joy. Jesus, the
King, promises hope in our despair,
help when we hurt, purpose in our journey,
comfort and blessings in our suffering.
~
Lynette J. Hoy, is a Marriage and Family
counselor, speaker, writer and the Chicagoland
Chair of Community and Business Women
for Christ. Her newly released book,
What's Good About Anger? can
be ordered online at: Counsel
Care Connection or Amazon.com.
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contact us, click here
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