No matter how hard you try you can’t out-give ~GOD~! These familiar words are often heard from our pulpits and in our Bible classes. But they assume special importance every year, as the Christmas season dominates our culture in ways both good and bad. The spiritual traditions of Christ’s birth are mingled with a desire to fill the season with good cheer and the joy of salvation. It brings light to the darkest days of the year…
The astonishing nature of ~GOD’s~ gift to humanity is completely beyond the normal and ordinary standards of this world of sin, treachery and deceit. When one takes a long look at the relationships that are considered “normal” in this world, it is natural to conclude that being on the defensive makes the most sense. On a grand scale, this is the way of the world—cautious people walking in a wary way, fearful that something bad may happen…
Then, during the time of year when we remember the birth of Christ, we remember His life, and the love He brought to humanity. We give gifts to please others, but really, to emulate His entrance into our world. It happened so long ago, yet it was only yesterday:
“But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men…”
Some say that the tradition of Christmas gifts began with the Roman winter holidays that were later converted to the festival as we know it today. It is better to say that Christ came to a pagan world, and began the process of converting its sensual feasts to commemorations of His own life and accomplishments…
Today, Christmas music features “Rudolph” and “Frosty.” But when George Friedrich Handel wrote his famous oratorio, The Messiah, in 1741, audiences everywhere were brought to tears at the magnificence of ~GOD’s~ gift. Its Hallelujah chorus resounds with ~GOD’s~ name. (“Hallelujah” is Hebrew for “Praise The Lord!”) Many of its verses, such as the following, were taken directly from the Bible:
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace…”
In these words, the intellectual preservation of The Word acquired emotional drive and passion that launched wave after wave of passionate appreciation of The Lord’s work. To this day, its performance brings audiences to tears all over the world…
Through the Dark Ages and centuries thereafter, society had slept, awaiting a new burst of light, which came in the 18th Century. It is impossible to imagine Western Civilization without the presence of its Great Awakenings, the first of which took place around 1730, led by the phenomenal and intense preaching of Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield…
The Second Great Awakening came at the end of the 1700’s, and into the next century, when the Third Great Awakening launched global Missionary movements and serious Bible-Study movements, such as those led by Dwight L. Moody…
Some speak of a Fourth Great Awakening, beginning in the 19th Century, when teachers began to arouse conservative Christian denominations with the systematic teaching of Bible-Prophecy. The gifts that The Lord gave to men were used to bring millions to belief, beginning with basic teaching, accelerated by systematic teaching of the Dispensations, and of Israel’s return to the Promised Land…
This Christmas season, as you give gifts to others, remember the wonderful gifts that ~GOD~ has given to men, that we may be able to bring Him praise, and the wonderful light that shines into a dark world…
Christmas Blessings To ALL!!!
Do you have any questions about a relationship with ~JESUS~ Christ???
If so, you can find the answers by using the links below:
JESUSAVESISRAEL 
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