CHRISTmas Past and Present

Now there were shepherds nearby living out in the field, keeping guard over their flock at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were absolutely terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! Listen carefully, for I proclaim to you good news that brings great joy to all the people: Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a vast, heavenly army appeared with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom he is pleased!” When the angels left them and went back to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place that the Lord has made known to us.” So they hurried off and located Mary and Joseph, and found the baby lying in a manger When they saw him, they related what they had been told about this child, and all who heard it were astonished.” (Luke 2:8-18) Imagine the spirit among the shepherds when the heard the original “GOOD NEWS!” Today….right in your hometown…the Savior is born! The sky lit up like never before! The angels sang! The shepherds ran to tell everyone they knew! Wow, what excitement. The excitement of Christmas past…...... What does Christmas present look like? Hustle, bustle, rushing here and there, working overtime to pay for things we can’t afford, and being so tired and irritable by the end of the day that we don’t even realize it’s about our Savior. Are we giving gifts just to give gifts, or to spread the love of Christ? Love came down from heaven in the form of a baby and love returned to heaven as a victorious Savior and sacrifice for our sin! And love is returning from heaven one day as a conquering and roaring lion riding upon a white horse (Revelation 19:11). So why aren’t we excited? Why aren’t we singing? Why aren’t we seeing the light? Why aren’t we telling everyone we know? HAVE WE BEEN SCROOGED? The god of this world would have us believe that we live in a hopeless world. What a lie! I have hope! Love “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.”(1 Corinthians 13:7) We must allow love to live through us today and into Christmas future. The baby was born. The Savior completed His task on earth. The Spirit lives within every confessed believer. Question is this: Is your Christmas future assured? Is love secured? Do we rejoice with the angels and say “GLORY”…..or HAVE WE BEEN SCROOGED?