Christmas 2011

Love without Strings Attached

Today we celebrate the birth of Jesus.  To Christians he is our Savior.  To Muslims he is among the greatest of Prophets.  He is also a wise man to the Jews.  Most of the world knows Jesus, his story.  They know he is called Christ.  It is time to reflect on a person who was willing to give his life for all mankind.  This is an act that can never be forgotten, even scorned.  Whether you believe or not one must be thankful for one so humble, so willing and so able to die for you and me so we may be free.  The gift God gave us is one to be cherished; to be shared with others so they may also know and never forget what unconditional Love means.  Why anyone would outright reject one who committed no sin and then took upon himself the punishment we deserve for all crimes past, present and future, is beyond comprehension.

Adam and Jesus

Adam was born without sin, the progenitor of humanity.  God’s plan was interrupted by the choice made when tempted by the serpent, Satan, deceiving and lying to achieve his purpose, not God’s.  One man’s trespass and all men were condemned.  God was not deterred.

Jesus was born without sin.  Satan’s temptations did not work on him.  He remained pure. He remained humble.  Jesus was the New Adam.  His death and resurrection was proof that all who believe will be resurrected, will be saved and live a life eternal in the New Eden God has prepared.  Jesus restored God’s Plan.  The Bible story shares the lineage of Jesus from God to Adam to Noah to Abraham to Isaac to Jesse to David to Joseph and Mary and to the birth this day of Jesus.  One man’s act of righteousness led to justification and life for all men.  Humanity can be united under the banner of Christ.  God made that possible.

Holy Living

Rules for Holy Living are noted in Colossians 3 – “…set your hearts on things above….set you minds on things above….”

From Col 5-17: “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.  Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.  You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.  But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.  Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.  Here there is no Greek (Gentile) or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, (Muslim), slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

Therefore as God’s chosen people (all of mankind), holy and clearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

May the Blessings of Christ be with you and yours this Christmas Season, and always, and may you discover the Love God has for you; it will remain until you also Love him.  With an open heart you will discover his love is the love that fills the world. His love is the light of this world.  Otherwise there is emptiness and darkness.

Grace and Peace