How many times have you heard the opinions of non-Christians talking about church and religion?
They are of the opinion that churches will all close because there is nobody attending them.
Those are the same people who look forward to celebrating Christmas and Easter.
They accept the holidays but refuse to accept why these exist in the first place.
They ask what the church has to entice people to church? What does the church offer?
Their lack of understanding comes from a selfish perspective.
The perspective of one who believes only in themselves.
They know all they have to know. So, they refuse to accept the higher power of God.
They still sit in the crowd at the carols by candlelight and get into the festivities? Why do they?
Why celebrate something if you don’t believe it?
Why not just go about your daily routine?
The obvious answer is that we have been enjoying Christmas from childhood.
For non-Christian households the celebration has a lot to do with Santa Claus, reindeers and the rest.
It is a part of life.
So, they do all those usual Christmas things, but if you asked the question as to why they do ― what would the answer be?
Jews celebrate their festivals because they believe in the traditions of their faith.
Other religions follow their own traditions; Because they believe and accept them. That is who they are.
To place ourselves in the times and places way back when Jesus was born (and remember that when things occurred in those times, there was always witnesses, and the stories were recorded and told to each generation).
History does not lie. No carols service is ever complete without “While shepherd watched their flocks by night.”
Have you read the story? From the Bible’s New Testament in the book of Luke. Chapter 2 and verses 8 to 11 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
The story of Christmas is so simple really.
We have a creator who loved us so much that He wanted to save the world from itself.
There was no other option but to give a special message to mankind.
If He was willing to sacrifice His own Son to convince us that he was concerned about our souls, then what more is there?
The story of Christmas has stood for thousands of years, it is still here for you.
Please take the opportunity and revisit the story of the birth of the baby Jesus.
He who, 33 years later, gave his life for you.
Susan Moody
Echuca-Moama Salvation Army
21°C