Christmas Contrasts...

Have a BLESSED CHRISTMAS                        Dec. 2010

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.  Isaiah 9:6

When one considers the humble circumstances surrounding the birth of our Savior, it is an amazing thing, miraculous in every way, from the virgin birth to the supernatural signs of His birth.  Amazing it is that our Creator took on the form of man, His own creation, and not just of any man, but that of a servant, to reach across the barrier of sin to reconcile us to Himself.  The Apostle John, in chapter 3 verse 16 in The Gospel of John, states that "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son..."

Paul, in his letter to the Philippian believers wrote the following:

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.   Phil. 2:5-11

Also amazing, as an observant grandfather who is blessed to have significant interaction with our wee ones, is to witness how quickly they learn what it takes to call attention to themselves and their needs, perceived or legitimate.  As life goes on, we get better and better at it, sometimes carrying it to the extreme!  

Reading once again the incredible account of the birth of our Lord and His humble way along His life journey, I see an amazing contrast between The Lamb of God and the typical "me, me, me promotional mindset" that is so representative of the human race in general.

 

An observant writer said the following of our human race: Half the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important. They don't mean to do harm-but the harm does not interest them. Or they do not see it, or they justify it because they are absorbed in the endless struggle to think well of themselves. — T.S. Eliot

So let us focus on the Savior, His birth, His life, but most especially, His journey to the cross, His death and resurrection and the process the led Him there and us into His fold, His family, and our eternity together, in His presence.  

May REAL PEACE be abundant in your life and family every day, every hour, every minute until we celebrate and worship together forever.

David Phelps sings "O Holy Night"...ENJOY! (copy and paste the link below into your browser address bar)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37NQ2VlFfXc&feature=related