TRANSFORMING YOUR WORLD

Seasons Greetings?
Is it me or does it at least seem like the Advent season (the season leading up to Christmas) can be an especially difficult season? Often we hear of deaths, tragedies, layoffs, unable to find employment, and now with a bad economy many being forced out of their homes. 'tis the season to be jolly? I have discovered over the course of my life that this "joyful" season can be especially hurtful, depressing and at least uncertain. Of course there is the added expectation of buying everyone gifts and going to Christmas dinner parties and office secret pals and bosses or staff to buy for. Oh, and by the way your paycheck (if you have one) has not increased and expenses are higher and ...... oh yeah, its cold in most places, cloudy and.... Enough! All of this in preparation for the celebrating of the birth of our Lord Jesus the Christ. Still searching for a reason to celebrate in your home? Still searching for that joyful, jolly spirit? Yes! there is reason to rejoice because Christ has come. Can you imagine if there was no hope of salvation, no forgiveness of sin, no promise of provision, no divine purpose and plan for your life? Perhaps this season can be difficult because many in America have forgotten about Christ. He is often only allowed to participate in this season, designed to honor Him, as a Point of Sale advertisement to get the consumer to buy products. In most other ways He is excluded. Turn to Christ, America! Jesus is not a Republican although some have tried to use Him for their campaigns. He is not a Democrat nor has all Democrats rejected Him. No one owns Him and He plays no favorites. He is Lord and Lord of all. When He died, He died for all and desires that no one perish for eternity. He gives us the chance to receive His salvation which He paid for in His own blood because of His great love for us. Perhaps this season often seems difficult because trial often precedes triumph. Before Jesus began His ministry He was lead by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness (wild-erness), a wild, challenging place where He fasted (did not eat) for forty days and then was severely tested by Satan himself. But when that season was over, Jesus who up until then had never performed a miracle or healed the sick came out of the wilderness with great power (Luke 4). Trial before triumph. Or, how about the Hebrews freed from Egyptian slavery spending forty years in the wilderness before crossing into the Promised Land? You get the point. So in spite of how bleak the economic forecast and regardless of the personal difficulties you may be facing...rejoice! God has not forsaken you but may be simply preparing you for His promise for you. Christ has come, the Holy Spirit fills, guides, provides and protects and Christ is coming again to reclaim those who have received Him. Yes, 'tis the season to be jolly, now and always!