THIS SEASON OF HOPE
Every Advent season motivates me to seriously consider
the meaning of Christmas. As students of
history, we are well aware that the chosen date for this festive celebration was
first authorized by Pope Julius I, who in 353 A.D. designated December 25th
as Christmas Day. Who would have thought
it would become what it is today? And in
1832, when Professor Charles Follen lit candles on the first Christmas tree in
America, who would have thought it would become the festive season that it is
today?
Every passing century somehow distances fallen humanity
from that miraculous and awesome night when the angelic host sang joyously, “Glory
to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.” (Luke 2:14) We try to envision the shepherds who
witnessed God’s heavenly light-bearers suspended in the air. We strive to imagine the magi, that wise and
faith-filled trio who sojourned from the East to bring majestic gifts to the
Christ-child. And we seek to mentally
conceive of the joy and wonder of Mary and Joseph when they first beheld their
infant son, whose destiny was to become the King of Kings.
Now the question for this hour is this: What will WE
do with these powerful-but-fading impressions?
What will OUR response be to this Lamb of God, who graciously takes away
the sin of the world? The answer is
simple indeed. We, too, must bow before Him. We, too, must honor Him. And beyond that we, too, must worship, adore
and covenant with Him, not only in this special season, but for all the days of
our lives. Hallelujah, what a Savior!
Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and
please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.
Maranatha!
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