Keeping Christ in our mind as Christmas becomes Close

Keeping Christ in our mind as Christmas becomes Close

As Christmas and Easter come around we need to keep in mind about what it is that becomes so very special to believers and why those who do not believe are left in the dark.

For all of us who were brought up in a Christian atmosphere where Sacraments meant something to us that many in the secular world do not adhere to, it becomes difficult to understand why education or some affiliation to Christ and the Church did not pass their learning.  For many the idea of Advent leading us to Christmas means nothing more than Christmas trees and presents for children is what the celebration is all about.  If they walk by a Christmas Creche and see the people standing around with a sign of happiness or glee on their faces their thoughts may go from these people being entertained or something beyond their own feelings.  Christ who is coming into the world?  Not likely.

These non-believers are the ones that Christ became Incarnated for; the ones who have not yet heard what the “Good News” is all about.  There have been a lot of future ministers who in fact heard just by chance through an accidental arrival somewhere and heard about this baby who went to a Cross and died for their own sins.  By the Holy Spirit’s presence in these persons hearing some became astounding preachers themselves.  By the way, it was never a chance that they happened to be somewhere at a moment the Word was being preached.  The Lord already had a hand in getting them where they would hear his Word.  God does not deal with chance or just luck.  

All of us must open our minds to the one reason that God sent his Son to assume humanity.  It was the sin of Adam that became the impetus to save you and me from eternal death and because of sin entering the world, so did salvation enter as well. 

In our world sin was not supposed to be there; but neither was there a need for forgiveness.  God did not create evil but he certainly extended mercy which would be greater than any evil that we would encounter.  

If the world’s problems were put in book form there would be enemies of God on every page.  But Christ was not sent to challenge his enemies, he came to bring forgiveness to sinners; those whom he loved from his own heart.  Christ loved the sinners so much that he ate with them and brought healings into their lives.  He even went so far as to forgive those who Crucified him saying, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”  (Lk 23: 34).

O, if only we could see those who appear to disagree with us and treat them with the utmost respect just like the Lord treated us on the Cross!  What do you imagine our world would look like?  

Ralph B. Hathaway