“For there is one God and One Mediator who can Reconcile God and Humanity – Christ Jesus…” – 1 Timothy 2:5-6 NLT
Once again Christmas has come and gone and we find ourselves already in a new find ourselves already in a new year. Centuries have come and gone, and the world still can’t get together on who Christ is, or why He came – forget the fact that he’s coming again, and I wonder if I’m becoming a spiritual snob. Just days after Christmas, back at work, my Jewish co-workers were happy about having had the time off. Since they do not celebrate Christmas, they had spent Christmas Day ordering Chinese Take-Out and going to the movies. They had enjoyed that the streets were quiet, that there were no crowds, and traffic was a breeze.
The whole world shuts down one day a year to celebrate a day that split history into AD and BC. God came to Earth and invaded human history, and not even at Christmastime can the world come together around this one thing, and I wonder if I am becoming a spiritual snob – because I don’t understand that they don’t get it. I know that diversity rules the world, and there are many opinions about many things but it boggles my mind that not everyone gets God – How can Christmas Day be just another day off? Albeit, there are those of us, Christians, who do not unnecessarily buy into the whole economics thing – spending money lavish gifts, but we agree that for the One we celebrate at Christmas – there is only one message and it’s a message for everyone.
Pastor has said it many times – we were not created just to live 80 or 90 years on Earth and then die. You are far more valuable to God than that. He has made some long-range plans for you. He made you to live forever, and He wants to spend eternity with you. That’s what Christmas is about. God took on human flesh and came to Earth as a baby, and one day He died for your sins and mine. But not everybody believes that, and we know that Christmas without the cross is irrelevant. Without the cross, there is no reason to spend an entire month getting ready for the celebration of Christ’s birth. No need for lights, cards, or gifts. There is a place for everyone in God’s forever family. This offer is available for everyone, and for someone to take the free gift of salvation and treat it like a dirty rag is an insult to God, and to those of us who believe.
Pastor often says that confession is good for the soul, and bad for the reputation, and I was really bothered that someone who so adamantly does not believe in Christ gets to benefit from what I consider a most holy day. I have tried several times to share the good news of Christmas, and beyond, but no matter how I’ve tried, there is no acceptance of Jesus Christ, as Messiah, or that Messiah has come. So, what do you do with someone who does not believe in God’s greatest sacrifice; sending His Son to die for someone ungrateful? The Bible says, “…for there is one God and one mediator who can reconcile God and humanity -the man Christ. He gave his lie to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.” (1 Timothy 2:5-6 NLT) and I guess regardless of whether you believe in Christ or not, God’s Message is the same: There is a place for everyone in God’s Family. It’s an open invitation – and free.
Submitted by Deaconess Irene Gardon