Remember To Rejoice

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice." Philippians 4:4

The one time of the year when the contrast between our faith and what the world values is most apparent is during the Christmas season.  God sent His Son to die on a cross so that we might be redeemed - made righteous through His sacrifice - restored as children of God by faith through a spiritual transformation. That is a reason to be full of joy and to rejoice to a world in desperate need of a Savior.

I remember what I thought Christmas was all about when I was a child. Our family was lost spiritually. The big idea about Christmas was that Santa was coming to bring us presents. We knew about baby Jesus, the angels, the shepherds, the wise men. We even sang songs about them. We might even re-enact the manger. But for us, without faith, it was just a nice story. What we were more interested in was for Jolly Old Saint Nicholas to lean his ear our way. What we were going to get for Christmas was the focus of our heart. It was all about those things wrapped up as presents and little or nothing to do with the great present from a loving God wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger and destined for a cross.  

Over the years I have seen more and more of Santa and less and less of Jesus in our culture. As Martie reminded me - the legend of Santa had good roots, but then it seems his sleigh went off course. Some years ago the idea of Black Friday was birthed by marketeers. Just doing their job. Black Friday was a way to move up the spending on the calendar to fill the coffers sooner than a few days before Christmas. Thanksgiving has long been the demarcation day for the beginning of the Christmas celebration. Time for the trees to go up and the spending to go into full swing. 

Ever so subtly, like the frog in the pot, that demarcation line has been moved to a date before the fourth Thursday of November.  Inching closer and closer to another holiday - Halloween. Christmas has become a largely a secular holiday with token acknowledgement of the "Reason for the Season." These are findings from a recent survey. 

44% of Shoppers Believe the Best Deals Come in October
Nearly 197 Million Consumers Shopped Over Thanksgiving Weekend
62% of Consumers Used Credit Cards For Holiday Spending
In 2023, total holiday retail sales were projected to have reached new highs of 957 billion U.S. dollars.

And my point. Christian - be diligent to keep things in perspective.  

"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he [Jesus] said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment." - Matthew 22:36-39

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life is not from the Father but is from the world." - 1 John 2:15-16

Make certain that you make much of Jesus in the coming days. Your family should know it is Jesus that they should be excited about and His immanent return - like a thief in the night - not like Santa Clause sneaking down the chimney to leave gifts for you and yours. Jesus is the gift.

"Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape." - 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3

Come let us worship the newborn King - the Prince of Peace - the Son of God - Our High Priest - Savior - Redeemer. Let the world know. 

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone