Lynda by the river: Weekend Words

From Beside the Still Waters...

The Spirit of Christmas - Read: Luke 2:1-20

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" - John 3:16

Long ago the Father sent His Son away on the most difficult mission that has ever been undertaken. This mission would require the Son to live and labor among those who would despise and reject Him. He would face every temptation that is common to mankind. There would be sleepless nights of toiling in prayer and chaotic days of ministering to the multitudes, which would cause Him to grow weary. He would not even have a place to call His own or to lay His head at night.

Ultimately, God's Son would surrender His life in the greatest sacrifice the world has ever known. By His death on the cross, the sinless Lamb of God would redeem humanity from the curse of Adam's fall. Surely God looked down with an aching heart at the infant Jesus lying in a manger, even as the angels announced the tidings of great joy to the shepherds that first Christmas morning. God already knew every step of the difficult journey to Calvary that lay ahead for His beloved Son.

Each year, immediately after Thanksgiving we see a "spirit of Christmas" reflected in the actions of society. Twinkling lights, jolly Santas, ringing bells, busy merchants, weary shoppers emptying their wallets - and all the while, nostalgic strains of "O Holy Night" waft through the corridors of shopping malls.

Without a doubt, there is a spirit that pervades our land this season, but is it a spirit in harmony with heaven? As we consider the heart of God, and we ponder the tremendous sacrifice He made on our behalf, we should be inspired to commemorate Christ's birth in a way that radiates God's amazing love to everyone around us.

Gary Miller - Pantego, NC

God gave His son, His only One, a sacrifice for sin;

When we commemorate His birth, in all let's honour Him.

From Be Still and Know...

"Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:10-11)

Christmas is a special time for celebrating the birth of the One who came to bring joy. We sing, "Joy to the world! The Lord is come." The greatest "birth announcement" the world has ever known contained a message of joy.

What excitement goes into the planning and preparation for Christmas! Yet underneath the glitter and glamour of the holiday season all is not happy and joyful. We acknowledge that happiness is not found in the packages we open, the cards we receive, or in the entertaining we do. Underneath all the wrappings of the joyful holiday season our lives may be filled with heartache and sorrow. There may be emptiness and loneliness.

But there is a joy we can have, a joy within that completely satisfies. It is not dependent on outer circumstances, what we have or what we do.

This was the message of joy that God sent. "For unto YOU is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2;11). Real joy comes from knowing Jesus Christ. It is a personal message. The angel said, "I bring YOU." It is universal; "Which shall be to ALL people."

God's joy comes from within; the world's from without. God's joy has deep roots in Himself; the world's only on the surface. God's joy is unending; the world's soon fades away. God's joy fills us completely, the world's in on the outside. God's joy satisfies; the world's cannot.

"Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now you see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with JOY unspeakable and full of glory" (1 Peter1:8).

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!"

2 Corinthians 9:15