Since before Thanksgiving Day the nation has been bombarded with Black Friday deals and cyber deals, ads focused on Christmas buying.  This includes not only gifts but decorations, foods, getaways, etc.  There is no mention of the reason we celebrate Christmas except for the warm and fuzzy feelings people temporarily receive.  CHRIST IS LEFT OUT!
 
Gifts and symbols of Christmas are fine and fun, BUT to leave out the very Gift of God to all mankind is heartbreaking especially for a world that so greatly needs the Incarnate Christ Jesus! 
 
Chapter One of the Gospel of John clearly tells us of the deity of Jesus, 
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
“He was in the beginning with God.”  Vs. 1-2
 
Vs. 3-4 tell of the preincarnate work of Christ,
“All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.”
 
Vs. 14 tells us that the Son came,
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
(Read Vs. 1-18)
 
As for Believers (those who are born again of the Spirit), Matthew 5:14 says,
“You are the light of the world.  A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.”
 
So as light in the world Scripture says,
“Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify Your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:16
 
Ephesians 5 tells us,
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth).”  Vs. 8-9
 
We Believers also shop for gifts, decorations, food etc., but let us do so in a manner that expresses the Lord’s love, kindness, gentleness, patience in other words expressing the fruit of the Spirit in all we do and say. And may those around us see the difference.    
  
Let us make the birth of Jesus (the incarnate Christ) be the focus of all our Christmas preparations and celebrations.  Let us do so with our hearts rejoicing in God’s most glorious, gracious gift to all mankind.      
 
Thank you Father for the precious gift of your Son; our Savior and Lord.
 
There is a song that we sing in our Fellowship and it is so precious and dear to me.  Let’s join our voices and sing,   
 
“Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
Never have I heard a name,
That thrills my soul like Thine.
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
O what wondrous grace that links,
That lovely name with mine.”
 
Blessings to all as we prepare to celebrate the birth of the incarnate Son of God: Jesus.  Amen