Today on one side of the earth there are charollers preparing their seasonal songs, work parties and families preparing to travel; while on other parts of our globe there are wars and killings, rumours of wars on the rise and many families in mourning.
Jesus Christ was born to set men free from bondage, captivity, darkness, destruction and the evil control of cruel men.
In North America, it almost feels like the world issues stop for the sake of the commercialised version of the holidays, but it’s not true. The unpleasantries of life do not stop for the sake of our holiday celebrations.
The festive decorations on your home won’t put a hold on the mortgage payments. The presents under the tree won’t guarantee true happiness in the lives of your children.
The reality is that there are so many people put in mental institutions because of depression during this last stretch of the year. There are also a lot of suicides and self-imposed accidents, and drunk driving accidents recorded at this time of the year.
Don’t get me wrong, go ahead and give, celebrate and be merry because there is indeed much to be thankful for and much to celebrate in commemoration of God’s love for us. He sent Christ Jesus to make a way of redemption for all the various avenues of our sinful nature. He is the way to the Father, but that does not mean that sin itself is irradiated and the light that was introduced so long ago on the first Christmas has expelled all darkness.
No, rather the light of Christ Jesus shines THROUGH the darkness. Though darkness remains, it cannot stand the light! Get in the light!
The psalmist said it best “even though I walk THROUGH the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no EVIL because YOU (Jesus) are with me. God with me. God with you. God with us … Emmanuel!
That is the message of Christmas. That is the message of salvation.
Thank God for his unconditional love that he gave his only son Jesus to die in our place for all of our sins. From the cradle to the cross, Jesus is called the word of God made flesh to dwell among us to save us.
Though the darkness of this world, of our thoughts, of our circumstances surround us… we must know that God is with us. We can choose to stand, to live and to walk in the light or to remain in the darkness. God is light and there is no darkness in HIM. Position yourself in God. On His path of righteousness.
How ? you may wonder … The word, your Bible, is the searchlight that will guide you on the path of God’s righteousness.
Yes there are wars going on and yes even at Christmas time. There are homicides and immense criminal activity nevertheless the choice is ours; we can remain in immorality, selfishness and greed or choose to step into the light.
You may say but I’m a good person and I don’t indulge in such sinful behaviours. True but darkness is not weighed by the magnitude of your sin or your sinfulness; darkness is the absence of God.
The name of the Lord is a strong tower (a safe place) the righteous (redeemed by the blood of Jesus) run into it and are safe. Darkness cannot touch those who are in the light and to be in the light is to be in Christ.
Be encouraged because though the darkness surrounds you will not be overtaken nor defeated.
All year long we have looked into prayer and our ability to play a role in shaping our future through prayer. Let’s change some of the negative statistics around this time of the year and speak the word of God declaring that there is peace on earth, that God is with us in every situation. Declare that God is with your children and no accident or sudden death will take them.
With every gift you give this Christmas; give the gift of prayer. Let us also pray and stop the attack on our finances at this Christmas time. Peace on earth, good will to all this Christmas season and always.
House of Prayer for all Nations will be having a Christmas service from 10am to 12pm Sunday December 24th.
Come and worship with us at 4119 De Maisonneuve West (corner Wood ave) across from Dawson College and Atwater Metro.
We would love to see you!
Merry Christmas !
www.hopfanqc.ca
