THE TRUE PURPOSE OF CHRISTMAS
“Speak up for the people who have no voice.” Pr31:8 TM
Jack Hayford writes, “As much as I have resisted the cynical slams against Christmas
festivities, I must be equally confrontive with a glib, silly, or shallow celebration of this precious...season. We cannot honor Him who was shunted to a stable by a world too busy with its commerce, if we overlook the little ones who are denied birth by a system that cares more for personal convenience than human life. And we dare not forget that the first Christmas was visited upon the lowly. The shepherds symbolize those who live outside the mainstream...They were little regarded, lightly valued, and possessed next to nothing. If I would honor Christ with my Christmas giving it must include doing something to help both these groups; the defenseless and the needy-the undesired infants and the overlooked poor. If you would care to join me... here's my simple appeal. Would you take the equivalent amount you're spending for one of your nicer gifts this Christmas and make a gift in Jesus' name, in Jesus' love, and in remembrance of the Bethlehem Babe they tried to kill? I'm thinking about the Crisis Pregnancy Center nearest you...about those advocacy groups that speak out boldly and tirelessly in the name of Jesus for the rights of the pre-born...about one of the fine Christmas groups that sponsor poor children in Third World nations...about your own church's ministry to the distressed and disadvantaged...Let's glorify Jesus this special way, remembering His entry into our world as a humble, helpless babe. It's another way to sanctify the season—and keep it His.*
festivities, I must be equally confrontive with a glib, silly, or shallow celebration of this precious...season. We cannot honor Him who was shunted to a stable by a world too busy with its commerce, if we overlook the little ones who are denied birth by a system that cares more for personal convenience than human life. And we dare not forget that the first Christmas was visited upon the lowly. The shepherds symbolize those who live outside the mainstream...They were little regarded, lightly valued, and possessed next to nothing. If I would honor Christ with my Christmas giving it must include doing something to help both these groups; the defenseless and the needy-the undesired infants and the overlooked poor. If you would care to join me... here's my simple appeal. Would you take the equivalent amount you're spending for one of your nicer gifts this Christmas and make a gift in Jesus' name, in Jesus' love, and in remembrance of the Bethlehem Babe they tried to kill? I'm thinking about the Crisis Pregnancy Center nearest you...about those advocacy groups that speak out boldly and tirelessly in the name of Jesus for the rights of the pre-born...about one of the fine Christmas groups that sponsor poor children in Third World nations...about your own church's ministry to the distressed and disadvantaged...Let's glorify Jesus this special way, remembering His entry into our world as a humble, helpless babe. It's another way to sanctify the season—and keep it His.*
This message taken from The Devotional - The Word for You Today
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February
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