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Thoughts of Christmas

Daddy, Christmas early '80s, Madras, Oregon

December is here and thoughts are turning to Christmas!  For kids, it's thoughts of what Santa Claus might bring, have I been good enough to get on his list, and is there time to amend my ways?  For adults, there are thoughts of parties, gifts, budget, stress.  But what is the true meaning of Christmas? 

 My thoughts have constantly been turning to just this question.  As a Christian I want to, and should, focus on the real meaning of Christmas.  It should be my primary concern.  Sure gifts, parties, and all the trimmings should still be in my thoughts, but I need to look at them from a different perspective.  I should look at them as a result of why I celebrate Christmas. 

True Christmas celebration is about the Babe in the manager.  But Who is that Baby, and why should He be worshipped?  Was He a man?  Was He God?  Or was He both?  And if He was God (which I believe to be true), then He STILL IS GOD!
 
I want to personally explore several areas over the next few blog posts.  Among them are the following:

~  His birth was prophesied.  How do we know that He is the One Who was prophesied of?
~  Why should His birth have such meaning?
~  Why was He even born?
~  What did He give up to be born here on earth?
~  Who does Jesus say that He is?  And don't I also have to answer that question for myself? Doesn't that answer have an eternal impact on me?
~  He called Himself the I AM.
~  If Jesus was Who He claimed to be, what did that mean for His own personal future (death and resurrection)?

So, what is the real meaning of Christmas?  John 3:14-17 explains it all.  "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved."

Have a wonderful CHRISTmas!!

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