I hope that you have a wonderful Christmas. I have 73 Christmases to look back upon.... even if the earlier ones are on photos only. From 9 years old to my early teens there are wonderful memories as my mother and I would take the bus to downtown Pittsburgh.... Petula Clark's hit song was back in those days.... and shop at Kaufman's and Gimbels and Hornes....and then have a great steak and baked potato dinner at....The Flame....for under $10 each!
Two Christmases were spent in Vietnam...and another three in oblivion while in college....then God had mercy on me and gave me a wonderful wife who is upstairs as I type this....48 years later. Then in 1982 He had mercy on my wandering and rebellious soul! A few years later came our son who has been a source of joy now for 38 years....along with his wife and son!
So I know as all of you do the joys of Christmas. I'm looking forward to the next few days....should God will it....for we never know what a day can bring. I looked for many years at the babe in a manger....as a baby myself....able to take nothing more than milk....but then the scroll came....as it eventually does to all of us....and God in effect commanded as He did to Ezekiel and the apostle John in Revelation...take it and eat it....put it in your mouth and consume it. Are you looking forward to the marriage supper of the Lamb? Oh what we will know then!
So....as your family gathers around a table this Christmas....and that traditional joy is wafting throughout the house....look if you will at each and every family member present. Stay out of the laughter and the conversation for only a few minutes and gaze upon the face of each and every one of your loved ones. We all know what love is....but do we know what the ultimate love for another is?
Here is where experiences will be different. Some of you will gather with family....all of them....who know and trust in their Lord and Savior Jesus....the same babe born in that manger....no longer a babe....but most of you will not have that complete joy....for that brother or sister that you dearly love....or that parent....or that child....or even that spouse....will not as of yet....(can I use this term? It's viewed as archaic today?)....will not as yet be....saved....which means more than they are just lost!
Does your heart break over this. As you exchange a gift with them....are you fighting back tears? Do you pray for their salvation....not only every day....but often throughout every day?
Jesus came to us in that manger....that we might have those tears....and that we might rejoice not only in the mercy extended upon us as individuals....but the mercy extended upon others....who if it be in God's merciful will....will be those who you will sing....Jingle Bells....or even....Silent Night or Joy To The World....along side!
