Christmas is the day that holds all time together.”
–Alexander Smith
“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.”
“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.”
–John 1:14 (NKJV)
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“Look, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome Day of the LORD comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with a curse.”
–Malachi 4:5-6 (HCSB)
“Don’t assume that I came to bring peace on the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.”
–Matthew 10:34(HCSB)
The first Scriptures were the last given to the Old Testament. It contains both a promise and a warning. Elijah will come before God judges the earth, but then there is the dire warning that unless hearts are changed that He will strike the land with a curse. When I look at society today, I see a split in the homes, in the culture, and even within the church.
Men denying their God-given roles; women usurping what men should be doing. Why? Not because of need, but because of rebellion. Children listen more to their friends and that terrible tool–the phone more than they do to parents. But then, what do parents tell their children? How are they being led? Are they listening to the wrong voices? The last words of the Old Covenant come as a warning.
Then look at the words of Jesus. The world is cut asunder by His words. It is either accept Christ or deny Him. Those who deny are listening to the wrong voices. This is the beginning of the Christmas season; a time to look at the voice of the Lord through all of the joyous occasions that Christmas brings. Think of it, the voice of the Lord had been “silent” for around 400 years. There were no prophets proclaiming, “thus saith the Lord.” But in actuality God was not silent. He was bringing about the greatest event in the history of mankind–an event that would forever change history and eternity, the incarnation of Jesus Christ.
There are times in history when it appears that God is silent. There may have been times in your life when it seemed that He was silent, or maybe put a better way, when you did not feel His presence for He is no longer silent. We have the witness of the Holy Spirit and we have the written word of God from which God’s voice is heard. However, note that whenever it seems that God is silent it does not mean that He is no longer in control. “It should bring a great comfort to us knowing that His name is the Lord God Almighty; which means that He is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe! He keeps His promises and His Word will be fulfilled!” (Carroll Roberson)
Christmas time was my Mom’s favorite time of the year. Since this is the date of her birth, why not begin December with thinking of those silent times in your life before you realized the great truth about Christmas; that time when Jesus became real in your heart and mind. Don’t get caught up in arguing about the right season and the exact date of His birth, but recognize that He came to save mankind from the dreadful day of the Lord that is coming.
There is a peace–a peace that comes only from God. Yes, a sword has been drawn and there are divisions caused by that sword, but do not let that trouble you. Do not let the other factions distract from the truth of God’s Word. Look back at that first night, the shepherds watching their sheep. The angelic host rise up with the words: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors!” (Luke 2:14, HCSB) Peace–to those whom God favors. This Christmas season meditate, contemplate on the glorious coming of Jesus in the First Advent.
——————————-
“Look, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome Day of the LORD comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with a curse.”
–Malachi 4:5-6 (HCSB)
“Don’t assume that I came to bring peace on the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.”
–Matthew 10:34(HCSB)
The first Scriptures were the last given to the Old Testament. It contains both a promise and a warning. Elijah will come before God judges the earth, but then there is the dire warning that unless hearts are changed that He will strike the land with a curse. When I look at society today, I see a split in the homes, in the culture, and even within the church.
Men denying their God-given roles; women usurping what men should be doing. Why? Not because of need, but because of rebellion. Children listen more to their friends and that terrible tool–the phone more than they do to parents. But then, what do parents tell their children? How are they being led? Are they listening to the wrong voices? The last words of the Old Covenant come as a warning.
Then look at the words of Jesus. The world is cut asunder by His words. It is either accept Christ or deny Him. Those who deny are listening to the wrong voices. This is the beginning of the Christmas season; a time to look at the voice of the Lord through all of the joyous occasions that Christmas brings. Think of it, the voice of the Lord had been “silent” for around 400 years. There were no prophets proclaiming, “thus saith the Lord.” But in actuality God was not silent. He was bringing about the greatest event in the history of mankind–an event that would forever change history and eternity, the incarnation of Jesus Christ.
There are times in history when it appears that God is silent. There may have been times in your life when it seemed that He was silent, or maybe put a better way, when you did not feel His presence for He is no longer silent. We have the witness of the Holy Spirit and we have the written word of God from which God’s voice is heard. However, note that whenever it seems that God is silent it does not mean that He is no longer in control. “It should bring a great comfort to us knowing that His name is the Lord God Almighty; which means that He is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe! He keeps His promises and His Word will be fulfilled!” (Carroll Roberson)
Christmas time was my Mom’s favorite time of the year. Since this is the date of her birth, why not begin December with thinking of those silent times in your life before you realized the great truth about Christmas; that time when Jesus became real in your heart and mind. Don’t get caught up in arguing about the right season and the exact date of His birth, but recognize that He came to save mankind from the dreadful day of the Lord that is coming.
There is a peace–a peace that comes only from God. Yes, a sword has been drawn and there are divisions caused by that sword, but do not let that trouble you. Do not let the other factions distract from the truth of God’s Word. Look back at that first night, the shepherds watching their sheep. The angelic host rise up with the words: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors!” (Luke 2:14, HCSB) Peace–to those whom God favors. This Christmas season meditate, contemplate on the glorious coming of Jesus in the First Advent.