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St Mary's, GA, United States
Weekly bulletin. Church Office Phone: (912) 882-5800

Friday, December 21, 2007

THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

I am sure you have heard the slogans by now. “Put Christ back in Christmas.” “Join us in celebrating the birth of Jesus.” Perhaps you have heard it in other ways, but the idea is that we are celebrating the birth of Jesus on December 25. Some of the Christmas carols even state that He was born on Christmas. I would like to ask a question. Who put Christ in Christmas? Man did. People have asked me many times over the years, “What does the Bible say about Christmas?” The answer is simple: absolutely nothing. Some have argued with me, but I simply ask them to point out to me where Christmas is mentioned in the Bible. No one has been able to do it yet. I know the Bible mentions the birth of Christ, but what does that have to do with December 25? We simply do not know the date of Jesus’ birth. It might have been December 25 (I think it’s unlikely), or it could have been any of the other 364 days of the year. I do know the following: there is no command in Scripture enjoining us to celebrate Jesus’ birthday, whenever it may be; and we have no example of the early church celebrating His birthday.

There is one phrase that is popular during this season I would like to mention. “He is the reason for the season.” Again, this is promoting the idea that Christ was born December 25 and we simply do not know that. But that does not mean that He isn’t the reason for the season, because He most certainly is. He is the reason for this and every season.

In John 1:1-3 we read, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” In verse 14 John writes, “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.” The Word John speaks of here is none other than Jesus Christ. He was with God, He was God, and through Him all things were made. Jesus certainly is the reason for all seasons because without Him there would be no seasons. In fact, there would be nothing.

Paul writes, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). To the Galatians he said it this way, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). Jesus is the reason for this season, and all others, because He is to be my reason for living. He is to be my focus and my passion. I no longer live for myself, I now live for Him. Ecclesiastes 12:13 – “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.”
--Lamar

Friday, December 7, 2007

FAITHFUL FOR THE HOLIDAYS?

We are in the middle of the holiday season. I don’t know about you, but I like the holidays. I do not like the commercialization that seems to grow every year, but I like the holidays themselves. For many, it is a time of family. It is one time that most, if not all, of my family is able to be together. It is about the only time except for funerals and weddings. As families grow, it becomes harder for everyone to be together, but we make the effort.

People seem to refocus, somewhat, and reflect more on their spiritual lives than they normally do during most of the rest of the year. That's a good thing! We are primarily spiritual beings, created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27). We have read enough obituaries and attended enough funerals to realize physical life is temporary (Hebrews 9:27). It is the spiritual part of us that will live for eternity. “Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it” (Ecclesiastes 12:7).

Considering this, does it not seem strange to you that we focus so much on our physical lives? If we are blessed, we may live to be 100. Most of us will die long before that. We spend most of our time and effort trying to achieve things for the physical part of life. Yet, when we die all of those things will mean nothing. We work for 40 or 50 years to prepare for retirement, which might last 20 years, probably less. In the meantime, eternity is waiting and most of us spend little time getting ready for it.

Many people will become “faithful for the holidays.” They will be more appreciative for their blessings. They will be kinder to others. They will express love for family and friends. They may even speak a little of spiritual things. Many will attend a church service somewhere. Then, after the New Year begins it will be back to normal. Their focus will return to physical things and their spiritual lives will again be neglected.

What about you? We talk all day about “them,” but the really important matter is you. You are the only person you can change; you are the only person you will give an account of before God. What can you do to strengthen your faith and commitment? There is no substitute for studying the Bible (2 Timothy 2:15, 3:14-17). It is the guidebook, the true success manual, for your life.

Something else you can do that will help strengthen your faith is to be here for every worship service and Bible study. Be committed to the worship and work of the church. Stop making excuses. As you study, worship, and work with the church, you'll learn and grow spiritually. Take advantage of this opportunity to turn things around. Refocus your life on what matters most, your eternal spiritual destiny.
--Lamar