We all laugh, but the frightening fact is that we can become so used to living with the imitation that we miss the Authentic! So many thoughts are produced when we ponder what Christmas means...most are good, yet still are only an imitation of the Authentic.
* A time to think “religiously” which can help rearrange our priorities, but still fall short of the Authentic because a system of beliefs can only travel so far inside a fallen being like me. My “Self” will finally get in the way and even overtake it.
* Family time...which we all desire to be warm, fun, and great times. Even this will fall short because families are made up of sinners like me, so some Christmases will be better than others...again missing the Authentic.
* Gift giving. Always fun...until our flesh feels missed, slighted, pressured, or just saddened by the re-gifting of what you gave to someone years ago! (Always a great reason to buy something you would really want!) The Authentic gift NEVER falls short.
* Brotherly love and peace toward all men. This is a lofty and wonderful goal, however, once again our fallen nature exposes it as just an imitation. We will stop shooting our guns at each other for a day and wish “goodwill and peace” to all men...then try to kill them the next day.??? The Authentic brings a "selfless" goodwill and an "eternal" peace!
I pray we all enjoy the “good” imitations...but not miss the Authentic. Our Creator created us with an unbelievable power. The freedom to choose to be in relationship with Him or reject that. No other living thing known in the universe possesses such power.
DD and I pray that you make sure you know that this day represents the Truth that God planned before the foundation of this earth and brought to pass a few millennial ago when He became flesh and was born the same way we all were. Refusing to keep His rights, He emptied Himself so that He could give Himself as the payment of our sin, and enable us...if we desire...to refuse to live under the power of sin, instead choosing to live under His power.
It truly is an Authentic gift! It cost us nothing but cost Him everything and He gave it with no strings attached. It is all done...we choose to receive His gift or reject it. He loves us so much He will not force this gift upon us. If you believe He is, He became human, lived a perfect life, and offered it as a sacrifice for your sin, you tell Him that and tell Him you trust your life and eternity in what He did, and ask Him to forgive your sin and make you an authentic child of God, and you choose to follow Him...you will experience the only Authentic meaning of Christmas!
It's not about songs, decorations, family time, world peace! It is about entering into a relationship with a Being so far above all we know or understand and beginning a relationship with Him that will be FOREVER! Don't leave this gift unopened...take the chance! Open yourself to experiencing God's Authentic gift.
God Bless, Merry Christmas
Love in Christ from - nate & DD
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