UNDERSTANDING THE TIMES
The Newsletter of Contend for the Faith, Inc
1 Chronicles 12:32

DECEMBER 2003

Dear Friends,

Once again the Christmas season is upon us with all of the attendant joy and cheer.

You know that Christmas is near when certain things happen: stores have big Christmas sales, families put up Christmas trees, and groups like the ACLU do all they can to stop the public expression of Christmas sentiment on public property.

In the New York City school system, the schools can have candles for Jewish Hanukkah and a crescent symbol for Muslim Ramadan, but no Christmas nativity scenes will be allowed because that would violate the mythical “separation of church and state” in the minds of some school officials.

Despite absurdities like this, most Americans are favorably disposed toward the Christmas holiday, and most non-Christians are not offended by salutations of “Merry Christmas” because they understand the sentiment, even if they disagree with the theology of the incarnation upon which the observance is based.

I am always grateful that at this time of year on secular radio stations and in stores you hear the music of Christmas. While songs about Santa and Rudolph are much too common, it is wonderful to hear the true message of Christmas communicated in the wonderful carols that are commonly played.

One of my favorites is “O Holy Night.” It is a song well known to Christians, but even many believers who sing it may not be aware of the deep theology that is conveyed in a few short verses. Consider these stanzas:

O Holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine! O night when Christ was born!
O night divine! O night, O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here came the wise men from the Orient land

The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend
He knows our need
To our weakness no stranger
Behold your King! before the lowly bend!
Behold your King! before Him bend!

Truly he taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us praise His holy name
Christ is the Lord
Then ever, ever praise we
His pow'r and glory ever more proclaim
His pow'r and glory ever more proclaim

At Christmas, we celebrate the incarnation, when God the Son appeared to the world in human flesh. He was the King of kings in a stable and laid in a lowly manger. Because God came to earth in the likeness of sinful flesh, He knows our need and our weaknesses.

He taught us to love one another because He is love, and He demonstrated His love for us by coming to Earth to die for the sins of mankind. Because Christ is the Lord, we will praise His name forever and we should proclaim His power and glory ever more.

I urge you to use the songs of the season as springboards for sharing the Gospel with those who need to understand the true reason to celebrate the season.

During this time of year, most people have their attention fixed on the coming of December 25th. Retailers are glad to see Christmas come because it means increased sales to them and a better bottom line. Children look forward to it because of toys and gifts they hope to receive and vacation from school. Many adults take time off from work at the end of the year, so Christmas gives them some welcome rest and relaxation.

But I believe Christians have the most to be joyous about during this season because we understand what it is all about. Our focus is not (or should not be) on the gifts we give or receive, but on the greatest gift ever given – the gift of Jesus, the Savior who came into the world to save sinners.

Posted under the Newsletter category on: Monday, December 1st, 2003 at 2:56 pm
(5 years, 1 month ago)
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