The old Indian chief’s community weather forecast proved to be false. Rather than just a few flurries there appeared on the horizon a cold wind of blanketing heavy snow. As the wind increased with intermittent gusts and the snow began to drift, the man scurried to gather the farm animals into the barn.
Once inside the sheltered barn with all the animals intact, the man sadly noticed the sparrows being blown hither and yon by the gusting winds. It was if they also wanted in the sheltered barn to be delivered from the treacherous storm. The man, who loved birds and often welcomed their nests as perched residences within his barn, sadly paused before closing the door. He thought to himself:
“If only I could coax them inside, they would not freeze and would be saved from the wintry blast. It’s too bad I can’t be a like a bird and communicate with them to coax them into my barn. If only briefly, I could transform myself into a bird, I could fly to the flock, inform them of the present danger they face and end up rescuing them into my barn of safety – free from the present dangers and ultimate devastation of the wind, snow and cold.”
Upon hearing himself think these words, there flashed into the man’s mind, the clear and simple meaning of the First Christmas. __________________________________________________
My friend, the simple, yet clear meaning of Christmas, is the celebration of Jesus Christ. He came as God, in human flesh to destroy sin, death and the devil. He came to rescue us from our sins by His birth, [holy] life, suffering, death and resurrection. He came to deliver us from being “children of God’s just and holy wrath” and call us into His forgiven family. The Lord God could do that masterful divine work, no other way. He had to communicate and He did it with flesh and blood. He did it by being born as you and me [yet, without sin].
My wife and I desire for all of you the same assurance that we have in the Christ of Christmas. And may some of you who may not have this same [God blessed and graced] experience; may you be privileged in time to understand, why God, became a man.
May you and yours possess a Merry Christmas and blessed New Year!
Joyce and Nathan Bickel
Please Note: It’s the Christ of Christmas who makes the “Christian Faith” [Religion] so true -- Other religious expressions are sad, feeble and false human inventions (12/21/08)
Once inside the sheltered barn with all the animals intact, the man sadly noticed the sparrows being blown hither and yon by the gusting winds. It was if they also wanted in the sheltered barn to be delivered from the treacherous storm. The man, who loved birds and often welcomed their nests as perched residences within his barn, sadly paused before closing the door. He thought to himself:
“If only I could coax them inside, they would not freeze and would be saved from the wintry blast. It’s too bad I can’t be a like a bird and communicate with them to coax them into my barn. If only briefly, I could transform myself into a bird, I could fly to the flock, inform them of the present danger they face and end up rescuing them into my barn of safety – free from the present dangers and ultimate devastation of the wind, snow and cold.”
Upon hearing himself think these words, there flashed into the man’s mind, the clear and simple meaning of the First Christmas. __________________________________________________
My friend, the simple, yet clear meaning of Christmas, is the celebration of Jesus Christ. He came as God, in human flesh to destroy sin, death and the devil. He came to rescue us from our sins by His birth, [holy] life, suffering, death and resurrection. He came to deliver us from being “children of God’s just and holy wrath” and call us into His forgiven family. The Lord God could do that masterful divine work, no other way. He had to communicate and He did it with flesh and blood. He did it by being born as you and me [yet, without sin].
My wife and I desire for all of you the same assurance that we have in the Christ of Christmas. And may some of you who may not have this same [God blessed and graced] experience; may you be privileged in time to understand, why God, became a man.
May you and yours possess a Merry Christmas and blessed New Year!
Joyce and Nathan Bickel
Please Note: It’s the Christ of Christmas who makes the “Christian Faith” [Religion] so true -- Other religious expressions are sad, feeble and false human inventions (12/21/08)
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Please note: http://christianhomeworship.blogspot.com/ is not intended to discourage Christian worship at another place and / or, particular [formal] denominational churches of worship. As its author, it is my prayer and hope, that many souls will find it, a useful and valuable Christian resource.
Rev. Nathan Bickel
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