Saturday, December 24, 2016

In the Beginning, A Merry Christmas

John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

In the beginning...there's always a beginning. There is an end too. Our lives have a beginning. They will also have an end.

Jesus had a beginning and it's for that reason Christmas is celebrated. Maybe it wasn't called Christmas then, but it was a merry time, a time for the shepherds to rejoice and the wise men to worship. For some reason this year, however, it has so struck me, more so than ever before, that Christmas isn't just about Jesus' birth. It's about His whole life. You'd think I never knew this by how my thoughts have been on this so much.

Genesis 1:1 states the same, In the beginning...God... In Revelation we have an explanation of the end of all things. God is in complete control of all things. He was there at the beginning and will be in the end. The Word of God describes it all. But the most amazing thing is it shows Jesus from the beginning of the book to the end. The Old Testament lays the groundwork for God's plan for humanity. The plan? To know and love Him first, with all our hearts, to repent of our sins, come away from the things of the world, remain focused on Him, trust in and worship Him. The New Testament gives us a better glimpse into how it is accomplished, through Whom it is done.

In order for us to do achieve what God desires, we must have a new beginning in our life. That beginning guides us into a relationship with God Himself through His Son Jesus...who was born, lived, died and was made alive again...just for us, that at the end of our lives we might have the same opportunity as He and to ensure in our final day have eternal life.

So Jesus was born. The celebration doesn't ever need to end there. Decorations will be put away, snow will melt, Easter will occur and spring will once again emerge, life will go on as usual, and so can our celebration of the Lord who made it possible, through His entire short-lived life on earth, for us to humbly come to Him, receive Him to ourselves and follow Him every day.

Jesus lives today. He is worshipped still by many. Despite the belief that Christianity is dying, God's Word tells us it never will. Those who have followed Him faithfully will come out as winners in that last day. As long as a person has breath (which He gave) there is always the opportunity to seek Him and call on His name for our life eternal.

Christmas is a name for His beginning. It can also be a good time for anyone who has not received the ultimate gift of Jesus Christ and His salvation to receive that gift. It's a good time as any to seek Him. Remember, there will be a final day in all our lives as well as a final day for all of life. If He is not in our lives when His final return is here, we no longer be given an opportunity to receive that free gift.

Revelation 22:20-21 - He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

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