A MESSAGE FOR THE CHRISTMAS
It is Christmas! The best diagnosis of the true meaning of Christmas was given by a doctor over 2000 years ago, and it cannot be improved upon. The doctor is Luke, and the diagnosis is found in the second chapter of his inspired “prescription”. Which is known to us as the Gospel according to St. Luke. In the eleventh verse, we have the very core of the message, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11) Note how clear and sharp is the doctor’s diagnosis! “…unto you…” – that is personal. “…this day…” – that is present. “…a Saviour…” – that is precious. There is all the difference in the world between Christmas and Christ. Millions make a holiday over Christmas and forget Christ. Christ is frequently crowded out of this special day, which is meant to remember Him the most. Holiness is hidden beneath the holly. The wreath is hung higher than the cross. Often the Saviour is replaced by Santa Claus. Yet without Christ, there is really is no Christmas. Without Him, there is nothing to sing about or rejoice over. Outward merriment all too quickly becomes inward mockery to the starved soul. It is time for us to turn back to that perfect prescription of the old doctor and spend a quiet moment with his words. “…unto you…” This a personal message, and there can be no evasion nor denial. What have you done with the Lord Jesus Christ for this occasion? You have remembered family and friends with gifts, but have you remembered Him? “…this day…” Yes, this day, this very moment! Thoughts of Christmas fill the air, and there is at least the passing acknowledgement of His person. But do you know that the thoughts of Christ concerning you are those of grace and eternal life? He offers, you the most wonderful Christmas gift available – the gift of your soul’s salvation. What will do with Christ this Christmas? “…a Saviour…” Yes, this is the powerful source of the prescription. The road from Christmas to Calvary is really a short one, for the Babe of Bethlehem came to die as the Sin-Bearer upon Calvary’s cross. Not “Santa” but the Saviour; not “Claus” but Christ. It is only the man or woman, the boy or girl, who has truly been to Calvary, whose sinful heart has been broken at the foot of the cross, whose life has been cleansed and transformed, who can really and truly know the blessed joy of a “heavenly Christmas” within the heart. How precious are those words, “..unto you…this day…a Saviour…”, when the heart is open to receive Him. How is it with you? Do you belong to the Lord? Or are you still passing by the manger, forgetting that the Holy Babe long ago climbed from His cradle and died on the cross for your redemption. “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”, but we are “…justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24) MAKE THIS REDEMPTION YOUR OWN BY ACCEPTING INTO YOUR HEART GOD’S GIFT, THE CHRIST OF CHRISTMAS, AS YOUR PERSONAL SAVIOUR.