Merry Christmas to All...the Wayfarer

Merry Christmas to All

Mark 16King James Version (KJV)

16 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.

² And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.

³ And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?

⁴ And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.

⁵ And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.

⁶ And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.

"Wait a minute, preacher, have you gotten senile and forgotten which holiday is which? Aren't you confusing Christmas with Easter? Have you lost it altogether?"

I already hear the murmuring and muttering created by the title of the dissertation and the opening verse chosen before even having completed the words to follow!

WITHOUT the resurrection, WITHOUT Easter and the cause for its celebration, WITHOUT the crucifixion and sacrifice, WITHOUT the blood shed for the remission of sin, WITHOUT the promise of eternal life through that sacrifice for those willing to receive the gift given on Christmas, there is no cause to celebrate the birth of a SAVIOR sent for the very purpose of that sacrifice!

Just as Easter has been relegated to the celebration of the few that consider its significance during the lifetime of this old man that remembers the prominence once held by it, commercialized to the selling of candies and new clothes to wear to a gathering that too often gives more notice of the renewal of the world  in spring, to the budding trees and flowers that flourish, rather than the renewal of the soul provided through the resurrection of Christ Jesus, the redemption that allows for that renewal to take place when repentance is given because of the blood shed by Him for that renewal.

Bright lights, decorations, "seasonal" music beckon one and all to get a warm fuzzy while exchanging gifts of worldly things without reminder of the ONE gift given that SHOULD be the reason above all for celebration.

Airwaves are annually flooded with the BOGO's and percentage off regular prices that account for the bottom lines of retail sales that are ever more and more determined by the generosity exhibited once a year as "the season of giving" is touted without appreciation of what HAS BEEN GIVEN.

I have even heard the complaints of those who claim NOT to believe in God, much less the Son of God, about a lack of decoration and lighting that is expected  in celebration of  "the season" rather than observing the fact that WITHOUT CHRIST, THERE IS NO CHRISTMAS!

Revelation 3:18

¹⁸I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

The birth of our SAVIOR IS cause for celebration.

The day once set aside in remembrance of that birth REMAINS cause for celebration.

Each day of the life of those in possession of the GIFT given the day of that birth is MORE than cause for celebration, as long as that GIFT given on the day of resurrection is remembered, despite the detraction and distraction that attempts to nullify and deny that very GIFT!

Luke 2:1-11King James Version (KJV)

2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

² (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

³ And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

⁴ And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

⁵ To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

⁶ And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

⁸ And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

⁹ And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

¹⁰ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Good tidings of great joy should be continued to be given, daily, not annually for the GIFT of LIFE,

the GIFT of TRUTH, the GIFT of the only WAY to obtain that LIFE, and should be shared by all in possession of that GIFT with all willing to receive that GIFT, a gift that has indeed been tried in the fire, purified and refined as no other gift could ever be.

As the year progresses and the new wears off of the gifts exchanged that continue to boost the bottom line of the commercialism that is so important to men at this time of year, as breakage and decay set in and those gifts are discarded as the rubbish they are from inception, THE GIFT remains untarnished, unfailing, without decay or demise despite the progression of years since it was given.

And that, my friends, is indeed cause for celebration, reason for salutation, reason to be joyous beyond the moment, no matter what each new moment may bring.

2 Timothy 1:12

King James Version (KJV)

¹² For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Merry Christmas and Amen

the Wayfarer