CHRISTMAS AUTHENTICITY INCLUDES GODLY CONFIDENCE

CHRISTMAS AUTHENTICITY INCLUDES GODLY CONFIDENCE

Thursday, December 22, 2016

John [ESV] 1:1-14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

1John 3:16-21 By this we know love, that he [Jesus, the Word] laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God;

  What in the world does today’s above Scripture selections have to do with Christmas?!

  Considerable.

  For many folks Christmas is interpreted by lights, gifts, tinsel, and entertainment – hustle, bustle, and stress.

  Authentic Christmas means Christ-adoration, worship.

  Authentic Christmas involves personal peace and freedom; said peace and freedom heart-centered in confidence toward God.

  Confidence godly peace and freedom is inseparable from authentic Christmas.

  Without heart confident in and by godliness, Christmas is mere pagan yuletide holiday, tinsel at its utmost.

  In all the busyness of season, I encourage you to take time to read John’s entire (5 chapters) family letter to the Father’s John 1:12 children. (1John chapters 1-5)

  It took me 16 minutes without rushing to read 1John aloud this morning. What else will I do this day that will take 16 minutes of my life but be comparatively insignificant -- How many other things will I do that have little or nothing to do with authentic Christmas?

  Truly, authentic Christmas is a matter of the confident heart.  EBB4

PS. Indeed Lord Jesus came to bring “peace on earth”. He did not however say earth at peace. Though I too very much emotionally prefer a whitewashed holiday season, check it out for it too is very much a part of the Christmas story: Luke 2:1-14; Mt.10:32-38; Lk.12:51-53