December 2017 Monthly Letter
Dear Reconciler Family,
What’s so great about Christmas? People from around the world observe Christmas. What’s so great about it? What’s the magnet that pulls people to it?
What’s it all about anyway? Isn’t it Just another expensive holiday that forces us to spend money, often on undeserving people who make you feel guilty if you don’t give them an expensive gift? Is there a spiritual component to it? Many consider Christmas a gift giving holiday exclusively.
Whether we deserve it or not, a powerful and awesome thing happened some 2,000 years ago at a time that we call Christmas! In the Book of Luke, Chapter 2, we read about the birth of Jesus (verses 1-7).
“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.
“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth from Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths in a manger, because there was no room in for them in the inn.” Jesus was born miraculously from his mother’s womb without a human father. It was a huge miracle!
Verse 10: An Angel of the lord appeared to the terrified shepherds and told them not to be afraid as the glory of the Lord appeared. “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’”
Verses 16-18: The shepherds hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child. An all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
What’s so great about Christmas? Not much about the merchandised part of it. But a great deal about the story of Jesus our Savior! May we all rejoice in the Jesus and His life and power today in our lives.
Blessing to you all!
