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(I shared this thought with you some years ago but couldn’t resist doing so again. Every once in a while, certain truths should be recycled, if for no other reason than the fact that we tend to forget)
Scripture for the day: John 6:36 And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me shall never hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst."
Thought for the day: And Peter said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Time after time we find those who encountered this humble prophet filled with awe as they came to realize this was no ordinary man. This Jesus wasn't even an extraordinary man. This could be no less than the Son of God, Emanuel; God with us. Time after time, year after year, one person at a time, we see all who will look with eyes wide open discovering the truth of this man Jesus. And at this Christmas time of year, we pause to reflect once again on the reality of the Savior, the purpose for his coming and the reason for the season.
And the fight goes on. I heard of a school in Massachusetts that outlawed any gifts of a religious nature whatsoever; no Christmas, no Kwanzaa, no Chanukah, no Winter Solstice. They want to make sure no one is offended in the giving of gifts so they've also outlawed gifts that have to do with Santa Claus. I guess we can't accuse them of promoting one religion over another, can we? So, what is acceptable in this most politically correct school system? Well, snowmen, winter themes, personal items and other non-holiday ideas seem to be all right. This kindly school system also distributed a list of places one might go to purchase these gifts - first on the list was The Christmas Tree Shop. And the fight gets more ridiculous with each passing year.
I've noticed that Christians seem to be the only folks upset about someone not saying Merry Christmas at the local department store, even as they dole out exorbitant amounts of money for gifts that reinforce the extreme addiction they have to the materialistic, got-to-have-it-all-right-this-minute world in which we live; gifts that generally have nothing whatever to do with the reason for the season. I've also noticed none of the store clerks are talking about any other holiday celebrated at this time of year so I guess we can't claim discrimination there either. Personally, I don't care if the person behind the counter doesn't wish me a Merry Christmas. I simply smile and return their cheery "Happy Holidays" with an equally cheery "Merry Christmas." I intend no offense nor do I take any. A friend and I were talking a few Christmas seasons ago at our local supermarket. We hadn't seen one another for some time and happily caught up with what was going on in each other's life. As we parted, he looked at me and said, "Happy Chanukah!" (he's Jewish). I responded with, "And a Merry Christmas to you." People stared; we laughed, and went our separate ways, neither offended and each to celebrate as our faith dictates. That is, I think, the way it ought to be.
I have an idea; let's try (as an example to our unsaved friends and loved one if for no other reason) to keep Christ in Christmas by the way we keep him in our lives, shall we? After all, its:
Christ for sickness, Christ for health, Christ for poverty, Christ for wealth,
Christ for joy, Christ for sorrow, Christ today and Christ tomorrow;
Christ my Life, and Christ my Light, Christ for morning, noon and night,
Christ when all around gives way, Christ my everlasting Stay;
Christ my Rest, and Christ my Food, Christ above my highest good,
Christ my Well-beloved Friend, Christ my Pleasure without end;
Christ my Savior, Christ my Lord, Christ my Portion, Christ my God,
Christ my Shepherd, I His sheep, Christ Himself my soul to keep;
Christ my Leader, Christ my Peace, Christ hath wrought my soul's release,
Christ my Righteousness divine, Christ for me, for He is mine;
Christ my Wisdom, Christ my Meat, Christ restores my wandering feet,
Christ my Advocate and Priest, Christ who ne'er forgets the least;
Christ my Teacher, Christ my Guide, Christ my Rock, in Christ I hide,
Christ the Ever-living Bread, Christ His precious Blood hath shed;
Christ hath brought me nigh to God, Christ the everlasting Word.
Christ my Master, Christ my Head, Christ who for my sins hath bled;
Christ my Glory, Christ my Crown, Christ the Plant of great renown,
Christ my Comforter on high, Christ my Hope, draws ever nigh.*
Now go take on your world. - Bill
*author unknown (What!? You didn't think I was smart enough to write that, did you?)