Tuesday, December 25, 2007

merry christmas

Today, Christmas, is the day that Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Last week I heard a news story entitled "The War on Christmas." It was about various efforts to ban public acknowledgment of Christ in Christmas--lawsuits over manger scenes on court house lawns, insistence on using phrases such as "Season's Greetings" and "Happy Holidays" in preference to "Merry Christmas," etc.

I don't really want to argue such points with anyone--whether online or in person. If you are a Christian then you know the love of the Lord and the accomplishment of his life on earth. Really, every day is a celebration of his life and the fact that it was easier for him to bear the sin of the world than the thought of me (and you) being separated from God for all eternity and helpless to change it. At church last Sunday, a lady told her story and shared that, having come to know the Lord, she leaves a manger scene up in her house all year long. I think a great Christmas verse is John 1:14: And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

If you don't know Jesus as your Savior, may I invite you this day to read the story of his birth in the Bible in the gospel of Luke, chapter 2. You may or may not be one who takes offense at manger scenes or the mention of Christ; either is OK, just read a story. While you're at it, consider this observation by Blaise Pascal:

Belief is a wise wager. Granted that faith cannot be proved, what harm will come to you if you gamble on its truth and it proves false? If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing. Wager, then, without hesitation, that He exists.

2 comments:

Robyn Rochelle E. said...

Merry Christmas to you and your precious wife. I love you both. May God be with you and your family during this blessed season. HuGGGGGGGGSSSSS.

Mike Messerli said...

James, great new look as well. Thanks for all you do, and most of all your friendship. I hope you have a great holiday season and get some rest!