On Christmas Eve we gathered at my Mom & Dad's house to eat, to visit with family members, and to eventually open gifts. It is very easy to get distracted this time of year with the presents, the fellowship, and the food. There's nothing inherently wrong with food, presents, and visiting. One must constantly strain, however, to focus on things that are eternal and not temporal. The world and the system of this world dangles carrots on the end of sticks and we follow. But we're not supposed to be following carrots...
All the kids and grandkids gather around in the den on Christmas Eve and my Dad reads from the Gospel of Luke.
The "Christmas Story" is a nice story. It is a simple story - a joyous story. One can almost imagine the scents of animals and hay and sounds of farm animals and a baby crying and sights in that stable 2000 years ago. A proud mother and father. Bewildered animals. Worshipful shepherds.
The birth of the Christ Child was foretold 700 years prior. His birth was a big deal. The bigger deal was that thirty three years later, He was pierced for our transgressions. He suffered and died a cruel death on a sinner's cross, despite never sinning. Three days later, He rose from the death, victorious over the grave. If we believe in Him (Messiah), we can spend eternity with Him in Paradise!
2 Corinthians 9:15 King James Version (KJV)
15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
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