"Glory to God in the highest...." (Luke 2:14a)
Some church-goers don't celebrate Christmas because they say it is a pagan holiday. Excuse me? Why should we allow the pagans to rule the day and rob us of celebrating the birth of Christ, rather than joining the angels and declare, "Glory to God in the highest"?!? Let the pagans commercialize the day, get drunk, fight at family gatherings. There is precious little we can do about that. What we can do is take the day to celebrate the revelation of the Messiah, the Christ, the "Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace," the One "Who loved me and gave Himself for me." And who cares if it was December 25 or not? My grandfather Sherwood was born some time near the close of 1882, but was never sure of the exact date. So, he never had a birthday party? Of course he did. What did the date matter? He was here. He was with us, and for that we were extremely grateful.
The Bible says, "One greater than the temple is here....One greater than Jonah is here....One greater than Solomon is here." Jesus, "Emmanuel, God with us," The One in Whom the Godhead dwells bodily----- is here! He "will never, no never leave you nor forsake you." He promised, "Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Now, are you going to let the pagans take that from you, or, are you going to light the tree, cook the turkey, exchange gifts, be festive and merry? I can think of absolutely no better reason to engage in such merriment.
Father, in Jesus' Name, "Glory to You in the highest!" Amen.
"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2
