The Big Christmas Let Down

December 25th 2012 has come and gone. Christmas parties are over with a few exceptions and families are going their separate ways after Christmas. Radio stations have already stopped playing Christmas carols and songs. Some folks have already begun the tear down of their decorations and have their trees down and on the curb ready for pick up by the trash men. (My apologies to any trash women!) It is like they can't get the thing out fast enough. They are eager to forget that Christmas was ever here. I do not like to see thee 26th come because I know I will have to wait for 11 months to go by before we start to prepare for Christmas again.

As I have always been a big fan of Christmas and the joy and fun it brings, I do not like when it is over. I drag my feet when it comes to taking down the tree and the decorations. I was thinking about this today as I was getting ready for work and I see a parallel to what is happening to this nation as it concerns our spiritual health. For many years this nation was very much concerned over where we were spiritually. But as time goes by, less and less people have any regards to where we are as a nation when it deals with their souls. As things continue to get further away from what God desires for us, things will only get worse. The more we accept actions and lifestyles that are in direct opposition to God's laws the more we will experience problems and God's judgment. People are getting less concerned about the things of God and more focused on themselves. There are those who still remember the way God moved on this nation by His Holy Spirit and was changing lives all the time. Sadly today a lot of folks don't even regard Christmas as all that important. In many places they don't even call it Christmas break but winter or holiday break. As we get away from our heritage, we get farther away from those things that brought us blessings. A nation that forgets God is doomed to fall. People once were eager to hear the Good News of the Gospel but now more people are  turning a deaf ear to it.They see it as an unimportant aspect of life. Some see church and religion like they do Christmas. It is no longer of any value to them and they discard it much like the Christmas trees after the season or even day is over. They are the ones that miss the joy of the season because the miss out on the one that can give them what they really need.

I will keep the lights on the house on for the next week as well as the tree then reluctantly turn them off then take them down. But unlike most people, I will look forward to the time I get to take them out for the next Christmas season. But between now and then I will continue to remember the reason for the season is still alive and worthy of my praise and my love!One day we will celebrate Christmas for eternity!

NO Room In the Inn

No Room In the Inn

 

 

 

Many years ago in a small village called Bethlehem a young wife and her husband had traveled to be counted in a Roman census. They came from Nazereth just like others came from other cities throughout Israel. They went back to the city of their fathers to be counted. The only issue is they didn't have alot of hotels and motels like Holiday Inn Bethlehem or Days Inn to get a room. Like many people they were looking for a place to stay. Even though they were expecting their child, they heard the same response from every inn they stopped at. "We have no rooms" was the only thing they heard.

 

Today as people rush around stores and malls and other such places getting their last gifts or great deals, they are so busy but seem to forget the true reason for this wonderful season. This season isn't really about parties, decorating homes and city streets. It is not even really about the presents we are in search of for our loved ones and friends. This season is truly about the greatest gift this world has ever received from its Creator. Jesus came to this Earth over 2000 years ago to make a restoration of the fellowship between God and man. This relationship was broken because of man's sin and man was totally helpless to do anything to restore it. Mankind needed God to do what was necessary to restore that relationship. He did just that when He sent His only Son to this Earth to become one of us and to be the perfect sacrificial Lamb to pay the penalty for our sin. Jesus did die for our sin and was raised again to life to demonstrate His power over death. His precious gift has been offered to all so that noone would have to die because of their sin but have a way of escape from it. The problem is that today many have told God the same thing Joseph and Mary heard. No Room! Their lives are so self centered and full of pride that they refuse to make room for Jesus. They ultimately refuse to give up control of their lives and allow God to lead them. Jesus wants so  much to come in and live and occupy each man;s life and give him all the blessings that come from a right relationship with Him. It breaks God's heart when people tell Him they have no room for Him.

 

Mary and Joseph did find a place to go and deliver their first born child. They found a stable and saw the Son of God born and laid in a manger. Some have said that he should have been born in a home or even a palace. But if you think about it, where else should a lamb be born but in a stable? After all Jesus was the Lamb that takes away the sin of the world. So this Christmas I have this question for you. Is there room in your heart for Jesus?  I hope so.