My friend Jeanie, has been blessed with the gift of writing. Below is one of her last writings I have received regarding Christmas. It’s full of truth and hope, and it makes one stop and think about Christ this Christmas…the greatest Gift of all! Enjoy!
Julie
“…for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME “IMMANUEL,” WHICH MEANS, ‘GOD WITH US.'” ~ Matthew 1:20b-23
“Holiday” trees, “holiday” parties, “winter” festivals. Have you noticed how the word, “Christmas” is being eliminated from the American scene? It’s a slow fade of distraction and diversion. Yes, the kingdom of darkness would love to completely eradicate Christmas, but Satan knows that is not possible. Instead he has hypnotized Christians into complacency with a cunning tool: Distraction. This holiday that bears Christ’s name is a perfect target. The Church’s most holy remembrance, the fulfillment of the Promise of the ages, the birth of the Messiah, is under full attack.
Christmas. A time that should cause us to stop and ponder in awe the God that keeps His every promise; even so far that He would stoop down to take on human flesh and dwell among us. It is a time to truly consider the love that inspired the Lord God Almighty to veil His glory and be born of a mere woman, live among us and die for us. Immanuel~God with us: Incredible! Christ knew that the gift of eternal fellowship with God the Father, available to all, through Him, was worth the inconceivable price.
But alas, Satan’s ploy on Christmas has worked well. Shiny gifts, shiny lights, shiny shops busy taking our shiny credit cards. We have indeed become distracted. He has selected this holiday, a time that should stop us in our tracks and drop us to our knees in wonder, to step up the sin nature’s appetite for materialism. The world has taken the loving act of giving and turned it into a chore, not to mention the whirlwind of busyness that’s been created, leaving little or no time to ponder God’s Perfect Gift and share Him with others.
Time with friends and family, gifts and celebrations; these are good gifts that God has given to us. But, as we celebrate, may we keep the true meaning of Christmas our first priority, and our weapons of prayer and the Word of God ready to use when distraction attacks. Take time to ponder, in awe and wonder, the Greatest Gift of all.
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