A DIFFERENT KIND OF CHRISTMAS

 

This song has been playing in my mind since I got up this morning to a very different kind of Christmas. The words have gripped my heart in a way they never have before. How unfathomable the thought that Jesus, King of kings, and Lord of Lords, not only took on human form, but came to earth as a helpless baby born in a manger because there was no room for Him anywhere else. 

Christmas Day my West Virginia family and I have a tradition of getting together for a special feast, followed by fellowship and the giving of gifts around the tree. Then we have a second celebration the day after when our New Jersey family arrives. This year, however, following a series of domino like events--including several cases of Covid--there was no one left to celebrate with and so we had to put it off. 

Though I love my family, and miss being with them, I know we will get together on another day. Instead of feeling sad, I welcome this chance to spend Christmas with Jesus, worshipping Him, and offering Him my gifts of thanksgiving. As I do so, many thoughts cross my mind, such as the brevity of life, and how our best laid out plans can come to nothing when unexpected circumstances arise. None of us is promised another day--nor even another moment, for that matter. 

Don't put off telling someone you love them. And, most of all, don't put off receiving the gift of salvation Jesus is offering you. Tomorrow may be too late.

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For the wages of sin is death, but the gift 

of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our 

Lord. (Romans 6:23)

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We are all born with a sin nature that separates us from God. All through the ages, with few exceptions, people have rejected Him, preferring to rule themselves and do things their own way, and yet He never stopped loving us despite it all. He longs for us to become part of His family forever, and has done everything He can to make this possible.

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For God so loved the world, that he gave 

his only Son, that whoever believes in him 

should not perish but have eternal life. 

(John 3:16)

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God loves us so much that He gave the very best and most valuable thing He had to give--His only Son, Jesus, who came to earth in human form to atone for our sins and shame. By His death on the cross we have been cleansed, forgiven, and offered the gift of eternal life. All you have to do is reach out and receive this free gift by faith. It is not something you can earn. God won't force you to accept it. The choice is yours.