by George Rasley
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (KJV)
We thought about and were well on the way to drafting a much different column for this Christmas – Biden Outdoes The Grinch seemed apropos to this season of economic distress and discontent. But in looking through past Christmas columns we ran across one of our columns from 2019, entitled “The Gift of Christmas is Fulfilled at Easter” and we were brought back to the recognition that no Christian should be bitter on Christmas, because if there is one day of the year that is to be dedicated to hope it is Christmas and the anniversary of the birth of Our Savior.
During the Christmas season Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ as related in the Gospels of Luke and Matthew and the fulfilment of Isaiah’s greatest prophecy that, “the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14 (KJV)
This gift of God’s “only begotten Son” is a cause for great celebration, heralded on the first Christmas by a heavenly messenger and ultimately as Luke relates “a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
The Gospel of Matthew relates that a star shown over the birthplace of Jesus and led the Magi to Bethlehem. That star has become a treasured symbol of Christmas, topping Christmas trees and gracing Christmas decorations around the Christian world.
In our joy this Christmas season we must also remember that the star that shown in Bethlehem on Christmas led eventually to Jerusalem and the Cross.
While Christians celebrate and focus on the gift of Jesus during Christmas, often lost in the joy and celebration, and yes commercialization of Christmas, is the central element of the Christian faith – while God’s great gift is bestowed on Christmas, it is only fulfilled on Easter.
This Christmas season we invite you to renew your faith if you are a Christian, or if you have not yet heard the good news and given yourself to Jesus Christ, now is the time to open your heart to the gift of God’s only begotten Son – follow the star that shines over Bethlehem and leads to a humble manger and, if you believe in him, to a Cross and forgiveness of your sins and life everlasting.
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George Rasley is a CHQ Editor.
