Let us take some time off from the hustle and bustle of shopping and preparing for family get-togethers and remember why we have this wonderful time of the year to celebrate.
All over the world, people remember that Jesus was born in a manger in the little town of Bethlehem over 2000 years ago. What a wonderful testimony to the goodness of our God. 
This is the perfect time to tell others the good news of the Gospel. This is the one time that even in public places, they will be reminded about the Savior. Thank God Christmas Carols have not been outlawed outside of churches. Maybe the cynical side of us would say that the stores know better than to stop playing the songs that we all grew up with and love so well or they’d lose money. The stores realize that they cannot do away with those bell-ringing Santa’s with their little red kettles, collecting money for the poor. Some “big-box” stores tried. They were boycotted. I am sorry that they think only of 
money at this time of the year, but I am not entirely cynical. I am thankful that whatever the reason they have decided to include reminders of the Savior around their establishments, many people will hear about the love of Christ at this time of the year who may otherwise never give Him a thought throughout the rest of the year.
Let us take advantage of it and say “Merry Christmas” and “God bless you” wherever we go.
We are very familiar with the first verses of many of our favorite Christmas Carols. We often don’t get to the last verses, yet many of them are the most evangelical. I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and leave you to celebrate the holy-day with your loved ones.
And so, please contemplate on these inspiring last verses of the Christmas Carols. Notice how they praise not only our Savior, but the entire blessed Trinity. I wish we could sing them more often. Here are a few of my favorites.
From, “Come, Thou Long-expected Jesus”
“By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all-sufficient merit
Raise us to Thy glorious throne. Amen.”
From, “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night”
“All glory be to God on high,
And to the earth be peace’
Good will henceforth, from heaven to men,
Begin and never cease!”
From, “Angels, from the Realms of Glory”
“Saints and angels join in praising
Thee, the Father, Spirit, Son,
Evermore their voices raising
To th’Eternal Three in One.
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the new-born King.”
And finally, a beautiful hymn by Martin Luther that sums up the prayer of our lives, From, “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come”
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
Who unto us His Son hath given!
While angels sing with pious mirth
A glad new year to all the earth.”
One Response
For some this may sound pertinent enough that they will actually work the information. However, despite its validity, I doubt I affect the community as a whole. At least you did your duty and rang the bell.