CHRISTMAS
AUTHENTICITY INCLUDES GODLY CONFIDENCE
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; [Rom.12:1-3]
What 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 the peaceful yet “quickened” life of Ephesians 1:1; 2:1-3 (Also note
Col.2:13; 1Pet.3:18) personal resurrection with its peace and freedom; said
peace and freedom heart-centered in confidence toward God and His Sovereign pledge
of physical resurrection. (Phil.3:10)
Confident godly peace and freedom is
inseparable from authentic Christmas. Without our heart confident in and by
godliness, Christmas is mere pagan yuletide holiday, tinseled at its utmost.
Truly, authentic Christmas includes the
matter of a 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
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