The other day I was talking to a woman while we were in the Christmas section of Walmart. She was looking for Christmas cards to send to her friends. She said that she had a hard time knowing what to send and i told her that I always sent inspirational cards. She said that she had a number of friends who were not Christian and would be offended by the card. I told her that I also had friends who were not Christians, but I would give them inspirational Christmas cards too. Being a Christian is part of who I am. When I left her to continue searching for non-offensive Christmas cards, I left her as confused as ever.
As I have been thinking about this and have been reading about others who are offended by the concept that God came to earth as an infant to save men’s souls from eternal torment, I have to wonder, “why the offense? Why can’t nonbelievers simply be tolerant of those of us who do believe that the creator of the Universe could love us that much? Can we just agree to disagree and agree that the idea of “peace on earth, good will is a good thing and it is something that we all want? Isn’t this a good place to start? No one wants war and death, right? Why the offense?
That SIN Issue
It is partly because of that SIN issue. No one wants to admit that they need a Savior to rescue them from their sins. The Bible says that all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God.” (Romans 3:23). Acts 4:12 says that the only way to God is through his son Jesus.
Jesus was born Emanuel meaning “God dwelling with us”. He conducted a ministry of as was reported to John the Baptist in Luke 7: 22 “BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM.” Jesus the Messiah completed his ministry here on earth when he took our sins with him to the cross that “whosoever believes in him (in his authority to free us from sin and the wages of that sin) should have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). He then left and left behind his spirit to live in anyone who accept that spirit and that spirit is the spirit of God’s Love for all mankind.
God Is Not Condemning Us
True Christian faith is love, not condemnation. This is why the angel of the Lord said in Luke 2:10-12 “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to ALL people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior which is Christ the Lord.” and then all of the other angels joined Him by saying “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
The Christmas story is not a story of condemnation, but hope for the forever kind of peace that only he can give. God doesn’t want to fight you. He wants to teach you about his love for you! I pray that this holiday season, you will discover the truth that God wants to share with you
Putting Christ Back in Christmas Eve Celebration
Lately I have been thinking about how sad it is that people are going through the Christmas season and not even taking a moment to recognize why we celebrating in the first place. I am also thinking about all of the lonely people out there who have no one to share the holidays with. I wish that everyone had an opportunity to be with people they love. I want to do what I can to help, so I have opened my church on Christmas Eve for people to get together and celebrate the birth of our Savior and King. We are open to anyone during this time. We want to share Christ by singing traditional Christmas carols, reading of the Christmas story, and sharing this time together. We open the doors at 6 pm. We encourage everyone who attends to bring a plate of goodies to share.The festivities start at 6 pm.
Donna Brown is pastor at Faith in God Church one and a half miles south of Brandsville, Missouri on hwy 63.. As Author Cygnet Brown, she has recently published her first nonfiction book: Simply Vegetable Gardening: Simple Organic Gardening Tips for the Beginning Gardener
She is also the author of historical fiction series The Locket Saga. which includes When God Turned His Head and Soldiers Don’t Cry, the Locket Saga Continues, and most recently, A Coward’s Solace, Book III of the Locket Saga.For more information about Cygnet Brown and her book, check out her website at http://www.cygnetbrow.com .