In our family, we call today "Christmas Eve-Eve." It is a funny, left-over-from-childhood saying, yet it indicates that we are all leaning forward to the joy, the celebration, of Christ's birth. We long for that day, as we long for his return, because his coming changed everything - in an instant.
In the instant that Jesus was born in that manger, time, and eternity changed. Even the little letters which divide our history into two great eras reflect the reality that everything has changed: B.C., (Before Christ) and A. D. (Anno Domini, the year of our Lord).
Christmas affected our personal lives in a dramatic way, too. Christmas brings the joy of knowing the nature of God. Christ was and is Immanuel, God with us. Now we can know Him.
Also, the joy of having access to a divine mediator is now ours. Christ is indeed our great High Priest, merciful and faithful to his flock. Today, having satisfied our need for forgiveness, He makes constant and effectual intercession for us. Therefore, our access to peace came through His birth as well.
Still anther joy we celebrate at Christmas is the joy of our conscious adoption into God’s family. As children of God by faith in Christ, with His name upon us and His spirit in us, we are welcomed, loved, and cherished members of His family.
We also celebrate the kindlier graces, the fruits of the spirit which Christ provides to each of us through the Holy Spirit. He said, “Blessed are the meek…Blessed are the merciful… Blessed are the pure in heart…” To follow Christ is to exchange the harsh and hard way of the law for the way of love.
Finally, this Christmas let’s celebrate the eternal flame of hope that was kindled that long-ago morning. The birth of Jesus was the earnest of our expectation, a prophecy of a day to come when the Son of Righteousness will reign in glory!
This Christmas, the world is one year farther away from the birth of Christ but one year nearer His blessed return. Merry Christmas!
Dear Father, We gather before You humbly thank You for the greatest Gift ever given, from the greatest Giver. As we await the celebration of Christ's first coming, we also look forward to the day of His second coming. In the meantime, may our words, deeds, and lives bring glory to Your name, amen.
Merry Christmas Everyone!
Cara & Patti
Classic Christianity
We also celebrate the kindlier graces, the fruits of the spirit which Christ provides to each of us through the Holy Spirit. He said, “Blessed are the meek…Blessed are the merciful… Blessed are the pure in heart…” To follow Christ is to exchange the harsh and hard way of the law for the way of love.
Finally, this Christmas let’s celebrate the eternal flame of hope that was kindled that long-ago morning. The birth of Jesus was the earnest of our expectation, a prophecy of a day to come when the Son of Righteousness will reign in glory!
This Christmas, the world is one year farther away from the birth of Christ but one year nearer His blessed return. Merry Christmas!
Dear Father, We gather before You humbly thank You for the greatest Gift ever given, from the greatest Giver. As we await the celebration of Christ's first coming, we also look forward to the day of His second coming. In the meantime, may our words, deeds, and lives bring glory to Your name, amen.
Merry Christmas Everyone!
Cara & Patti
Classic Christianity
“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
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