Here we are on the Friday before Christmas weekend. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and if your church is like the church I am in now then there will be a Christmas Eve Candlelight Lord's Supper service tomorrow. I know we have one planned for 5:00PM and I am excited because it is one of the services I look forward to each year.
Now when I say Candlelight I mean battery-powered and not flames with dripping wax on the carpet. When they told me they wanted to have the candles I was like "NO" but then they said "but Pastor they are battery-powered" I was like "well that works". The candles give off a special atmosphere and if you are like me you love that kind of thing. I call it mood lighting. We do it around our house. Certain lights are on to set an atmosphere of peace and quiet.
So back to the weekend because some folks have different family traditions at Christmas. Some are Christmas Eve families and some are Christmas Day families. I mean that is when they get together and give gifts, eat and fellowship. Well, when we have that rare weekend of Christmas with Christmas eve on Saturday and Christmas on Sunday, that is just perfect. Not because I am a preacher, although that certainly is in the equation, but as a Christian it gives me back-to-back opportunities to celebrate with others His birth.
I have mentioned previously about this upcoming weekend. That as a Christian and a Pastor I am so excited about tomorrow being Christmas Eve and then Sunday being Christmas Day. What a wonderful opportunity that we as believers get to celebrate our Savior's birth.
Well, I know we are always celebrating His birth and His resurrection but it sure is good to have these special times on which to focus our thoughts.
The story of Christmas is from the beginning of time. There always was a plan for the failure of man in the Garden of Eden. Christ was always the lamb slain since the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8). God made a way when there would have seemed to be no way.
God did what we cannot understand. He created us for a relationship and gave us every opportunity to enjoy it in a perfect world. Yet, we thought we knew better than God and sinned against Him by doing exactly what He said not to do. Thus, sin came into the world and yet God made a way for man.
God's plan for redemption, the buying back of something lost, was done through the baby in the manger that is celebrated this weekend. God's perfect Son would come and walk this earth for 33-1/2 years. He would then offer Himself as a sacrificial lamb, the one we spoke of earlier, to die for the sins of man. However, He would not simply die but He would do exactly what God said He would. He rose from the grave. He died and He defeated death so that we might live. What a God, what a Savior.
So on this weekend that is Christmas Eve and Christmas Day be sure to celebrate His birth. However, don't forget that He defeated death so that you might live.
Paul said in Romans 10:9-10
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
If you know Jesus as your personal Savior, then you are like me and you are celebrating Him this weekend. If you don't know Him as your personal Savior, then pause right now. Read again the words of the Apostle Paul. Pray this simple prayer-
Father, I believe Jesus is your Son, that He died and rose from the dead for me, I ask Him into my heart and life right now, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, you have just received the greatest Christmas gift ever given. It is ternal life through Christ Jesus your Lord. Let us know of your prayer and decision by going now to ElbertNasworthy.com and use the Contact Me Button to send me an email. I would love to reach out to you and encourage you about your decision and provide some guidance as to what to do next.
In closing today, we want to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas. We trust that this weekend will be a special one for each and every one of you. That the wonder of Christmas will be evident for you as you celebrate the birth of our a savior Jesus Christ.
In God's Grace,
Elbert Nasworthy