Merry Christmas!  We are so grateful that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (Jn. 3:16).  With the Apostle Paul we say, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift”! (II Cor. 9:15). 

     We celebrate today the coming of Christ to earth to dwell among us (Jn. 1:14) and not only to reveal the character of God to us but also to live a sinless life so He could die in our place to pay the penalty for our sin (II Cor. 5:21).If there had been no cradle, there would have been no cross.  In speaking of the incarnation (God becoming flesh), the writer of Hebrews says: “But we do see Him who has been made for a little while lower than the angels, namely Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God He might taste death for every one…Since then the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is the devil, and might deliver those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives…Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God to make propitiation for the sins of the people” (Heb. 2: 9,14,15,17). 

     Many of us, yesterday and today have had the opportunity to gather with family and friends to celebrate Christ’s coming with programs, messages from Scripture, singing of Christmas hymns and fellowshipping with fellow believers. But, not everyone in the world is free to do so. In many places Christians are under such persecution they are not allowed to join together to celebrate Christmas.  We have missionary friends (with whom my wife went to school at Prairie Bible Institute), Doug and Margaret Nichols, who serve with Commission To Every Nation. In their Christmas newsletter they shared the story of when Margaret was five years old and living in Communist China where her parents, Walter and Helen Jespersen, were missionaries.  “Their city was under strict governmental control with soldiers living in their house. All church services had been stopped. Many community leaders and some of their Christian friends were being executed publicly.”  Margaret’s folks had almost no contact with their beloved Chinese Christian friends so it was a very discouraging time for them.  Margaret relates what happened that particular Christmas:

       “On Christmas morning, 1950, Dad slipped downstairs early for his devotions. In His discouragement, he put their record of Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus on their old wind-up phonograph. As those strains wafted through their house, ‘He shall reign forever and forever; King of kings and Lord of lords–hallelujah!’–his attitude changed as did the family. Hope and joy replaced gloom. Mom, Dad, and the children ate breakfast rejoicing in their victorious and reigning Lord.”

     Thus began a Christmas tradition for the family. Each Christmas the families get up early and turn on the Hallelujah Chorus, “as a sign for the children and others to get up, come to the living room, to sing, hug, and, and greet one another on this wonderful Christmas day…Christmas always begins with the ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ celebrating the birth of the risen Savior and King of Kings!” 

      Sounds like a great tradition.  No matter the circumstances around us, we can celebrate and rejoice in our coming Savior, Christ the Messiah, Immanuel, God with us–Hallelujah!

Merry Christmas,

Forever His,

Pastor Dave