In The Beginning

As we enter a little deeper into the Christmas season, we are reminded of the importance this time of the year represents. I know we’ll enjoy the giving and receiving of gifts. We will take in a football game or three! We will over indulge in all the goodies placed before us. We will spend time with the people we love most on the face of the earth.

 

But, this is a great time to remember how it all happened in the first place. Usually when we hear, “In the beginning,” our minds race back to the first book of the Bible where God begins speaking earthly things into existence. But did you know there is another, “In the beginning,” in the Bible that has great significance to us? This “In the beginning,” identifies the relationship of the Father and His Son. Just as God started creating in the book of Genesis, his son was right there with him and together they created a plan which includes us.

 

Then thousands of years later, the grace movement took place. That is when God came down to earth himself and became like one of us so he could identify with us. He went through everything we did; only one huge difference…he didn’t surrender to the temptations of the evil one. But, he did take on sin! For that we can be eternally thankful. He took our sins and paid the price for our salvation, as he became the sacrifice for each of our sins.

 

Oh yeah, this Christmas season we can be eternally grateful for the other “In the beginning” as John informs us that the Word became flesh and set up his dwelling among us. This is our time to come and worship the heaven-sent Savior who has rescued us and returned to the Father and will one day come again.

 

Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday, Jesus!

 

Mike

 

 

If Not You???

I ran across this Charlie Brown and Linus story this week and thought I’d share it with you.

 

“Even though Charles Schulz died on February 12, 2000 (the same day his last comic strip was published), his animated classic continues to air each Christmas season.  A Charlie Brown Christmas was first shown in 1965 and became an instant hit.  Included in this televised tradition is that unforgettable sequence where Charlie Brown cries out, "Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?"  In response, Linus walks to center stage, signals for a spotlight, and then recites from Luke chapter 2.  Once he finishes quoting the record of Jesus' birth, Linus says, "That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."  The scene was resisted and producers cautioned against it, but Charles Schulz was relentless.  He stood his ground and said, "If not us, then who's going to do it?"  As a result, that clear statement about Christmas stayed in the show and continues to demand a prominent place on network television every holiday season.  What Charles Schulz said four decades ago about his program needs to be repeated often among Christians when addressing the issue of evangelism: "If not us, then who's going to do it?"

 

This Christmas season may be the time for the church to have a greater awareness of the need of sharing the story of Christmas and the joy of Jesus with someone. What a great reminder of a timeless truth… If not us, then who's going to do it? See you Sunday as we fellowship together around the Throne of God.

 

Mike