Good Morning 12-19

"Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."
- Romans 8:34

A week from today is Christmas Eve. Everybody will be busy in the coming days getting things ready for Christmas. Are we sure that we are making the right preparations? The glitter and the sparkle of the flimsy tinsel which has attached itself to the observance of Christmas must not be permitted to blind us to the beauty of Christmas which endures, the Christ Child, cradled in Bethlehem's manger, come down from heaven to bring us salvation. Indeed, the beauty of Christmas will be brighter and our joy deeper if we look beyond the manger at Bethlehem and see God's complete plan for our redemption.

In the passage quoted above St. Paul cites the death of Jesus, by which was paid the full penalty to divine justice for the sins of the world; the resurrection of Christ from the dead, by which God acknowledged all that was done for our justification; Christ's sitting at the right hand of the Father, by which Jesus is proved with power to be God Almighty; His intercession for us with the Father, which assures us that our cause is pleaded by the strongest possible Advocate.

Christian friends, Looking beyond Bethlehem also at Christmas strengthens our faith in the salvation proclaimed by the Christmas Gospel.

For lo, the days have come to pass
By prophets seen of old,
When down into the circling years
Came Christ as was foretold.
His word of peace shall to the earth
God's ancient promise bring,
And all who take this gift will hear
The song the angels sing.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - "How can He but, in giving Him, lavish on us all things."
Romans 8:32