I heard that there is no Christmas in the Jewish calendar. How terrible! How will it be if there is no Christmas, if Christ had not come to this earth? There can be no worse void.
This year may be 6009 instead of 2009. Nobody knows year one. Because of Christmas we know where we are in history. He lifted the curtains to a new era. Because He divided history into BC and AD the whole world acknowledges that Christ is a historical figure.
If there were no Christmas, I would be a Gentile wondering at the awesome God of the Hebrews. I would be envying the Jews for their Almighty God and for the great miracles He did for them. I would be faIling prostrate before my idols and travelling towards hell. Because of Christmas the God of the Hebrews is my God today doing great miracles in my life. The exclusive God of the Hebrews has become the Darling of the whole world because of Christmas.
Even If were a proselyte, if there were no Christmas, I would be living in terror for fear of displeasing God, incurring His wrath. I would be many times dead for my transgressions. Today I enjoy the grace of God because Christ came. I am redeemed from the curse of the law (Gal 3:13). My sins are all forgiven by the blood of Christ—past, present, future and I am secure in Christ. I am not driven by the ‘do, do, do’ whip of the law but gently patted by the ‘done, done, done’ of the cross. All I have to do is simply believe, for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (Jn 3:16). Frail as I am, I still know I am walking the road to heaven.
I don’t have to be sacrificing animals for God, every year for every sin. Today I am happy because God cannot see me except through the cooling glass Jesus. Once and for all the Lamb of God was slain for me.
I am not under the faulty old covenant but under a new covenant. God has put His laws in my mind and written it not on stone but on my heart. God is no more a somebody. I KNOW Him (Heb 8:7-13).
If there were no Christmas I’d be travelling to Jerusalem every year, to worship God. But today I worship Him anywhere, anytime (Jn 4:21-24). I call Him, “My Father.” What a super family relationship I have with Him and my elder brother Jesus! (Eph 2: 19). God is no more my judge before whom I stand hands folded but my loving Father who holds my hand and leads. He is not far far away hidden in the azure clouds but is very near me, in me, all the time. God with me Immanuel!
If there were no Christmas I would have to be satisfied with the Pentateuch and a few other books of the Bible. I’d be hoping to get a dream or go in search of a prophet to guide me. But today God who at various times and in various ways spoke in the past by prophets speaks to me by His Son (Heb 1:1,2). I have His Words in my hands. How amazing!
I don’t have to yearn to be the rare one on whom God would pour out His Holy Spirit. He is mine for the asking. The Spirit of God dwelling in me is thrilling.
Eventhough the standard of holiness has gone up because Christ came, He has given me a Helper to rise up to that standard. He expects to me not even get angry with my brother or call him a fool. But the Holy Spirit enables me to leave the gift at the altar, go back to my brother, get reconciled, come back and then give my gift to God. I am able to love my enemies and pray for those who trouble me. I can bless those who curse me and do good to those who hate me. I don’t have to mess up my hands by taking eye for eye and tooth for tooth!
If Christ had not come I’d be bound by traditions, sitting at the separate corridor for women at the temple. Because of Christmas there is neither Jew nor Indian; neither male or female; neither slave or free. We all have become one in Christ Jesus (Gal 3:28).
Now I don’t have to be sitting in the outer court waiting for the High Priest, who cannot sympathize with me, to pray for me. Because of Christmas I can run to the Throne of Grace when I need help. Was He not tempted just like me so that He could understand my weaknesses? (Heb 4:14-16).
If there were no Christmas all my blessings would be physical. I may have lots of houses and cars and gold and plenty of food to eat. These, even wicked people have. How would I be special? But today I am engrossed with dreams of heaven. I rejoice in the spiritual blessings showered on me. My spiritual eyes are opened to see the riches of God’s glory and exceeding greatness of His power.
What courage the Son of God had to agree to be born as a man, knowing He would end up on the Cross! He had me in mind and said, “Yes” to God. Christmas was the first step to the Cross. The shadow of the cross was cast on the manger itself.
Because of Christmas, I now have a flawless model to follow. Jesus did not say, “Go this way.” He said, “I am the Way; follow Me.” If there were no Christmas I’d be floundering.
Because Christ came, missionaries came to my country and introduced Christ to my great grand dad, I’m a Christian today. I am a missionary because of Christmas. Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.” I am not just a living Christian, I am a proclaiming Christian. That reminds me—
I am a Christian because of Christmas. Christ was born and so His followers were called Christians. If there were no Christmas I’d be called ... what?
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, 8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
I heard that there is no Christmas in the Jewish calendar. How terrible! How will it be if there is no Christmas, if Christ had not come to this earth? There can be no worse void.
This year may be 6009 instead of 2009. Nobody knows year one. Because of Christmas we know where we are in history. He lifted the curtains to a new era. Because He divided history into BC and AD the whole world acknowledges that Christ is a historical figure.
If there were no Christmas, I would be a Gentile wondering at the awesome God of the Hebrews. I would be envying the Jews for their Almighty God and for the great miracles He did for them. I would be faIling prostrate before my idols and travelling towards hell. Because of Christmas the God of the Hebrews is my God today doing great miracles in my life. The exclusive God of the Hebrews has become the Darling of the whole world because of Christmas.
Even If were a proselyte, if there were no Christmas, I would be living in terror for fear of displeasing God, incurring His wrath. I would be many times dead for my transgressions. Today I enjoy the grace of God because Christ came. I am redeemed from the curse of the law (Gal 3:13). My sins are all forgiven by the blood of Christ—past, present, future and I am secure in Christ. I am not driven by the ‘do, do, do’ whip of the law but gently patted by the ‘done, done, done’ of the cross. All I have to do is simply believe, for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (Jn 3:16). Frail as I am, I still know I am walking the road to heaven.
I don’t have to be sacrificing animals for God, every year for every sin. Today I am happy because God cannot see me except through the cooling glass Jesus. Once and for all the Lamb of God was slain for me.
I am not under the faulty old covenant but under a new covenant. God has put His laws in my mind and written it not on stone but on my heart. God is no more a somebody. I KNOW Him (Heb 8:7-13).
If there were no Christmas I’d be travelling to Jerusalem every year, to worship God. But today I worship Him anywhere, anytime (Jn 4:21-24). I call Him, “My Father.” What a super family relationship I have with Him and my elder brother Jesus! (Eph 2: 19). God is no more my judge before whom I stand hands folded but my loving Father who holds my hand and leads. He is not far far away hidden in the azure clouds but is very near me, in me, all the time. God with me Immanuel!
If there were no Christmas I would have to be satisfied with the Pentateuch and a few other books of the Bible. I’d be hoping to get a dream or go in search of a prophet to guide me. But today God who at various times and in various ways spoke in the past by prophets speaks to me by His Son (Heb 1:1,2). I have His Words in my hands. How amazing!
I don’t have to yearn to be the rare one on whom God would pour out His Holy Spirit. He is mine for the asking. The Spirit of God dwelling in me is thrilling.
Eventhough the standard of holiness has gone up because Christ came, He has given me a Helper to rise up to that standard. He expects to me not even get angry with my brother or call him a fool. But the Holy Spirit enables me to leave the gift at the altar, go back to my brother, get reconciled, come back and then give my gift to God. I am able to love my enemies and pray for those who trouble me. I can bless those who curse me and do good to those who hate me. I don’t have to mess up my hands by taking eye for eye and tooth for tooth!
If Christ had not come I’d be bound by traditions, sitting at the separate corridor for women at the temple. Because of Christmas there is neither Jew nor Indian; neither male or female; neither slave or free. We all have become one in Christ Jesus (Gal 3:28).
Now I don’t have to be sitting in the outer court waiting for the High Priest, who cannot sympathize with me, to pray for me. Because of Christmas I can run to the Throne of Grace when I need help. Was He not tempted just like me so that He could understand my weaknesses? (Heb 4:14-16).
If there were no Christmas all my blessings would be physical. I may have lots of houses and cars and gold and plenty of food to eat. These, even wicked people have. How would I be special? But today I am engrossed with dreams of heaven. I rejoice in the spiritual blessings showered on me. My spiritual eyes are opened to see the riches of God’s glory and exceeding greatness of His power.
What courage the Son of God had to agree to be born as a man, knowing He would end up on the Cross! He had me in mind and said, “Yes” to God. Christmas was the first step to the Cross. The shadow of the cross was cast on the manger itself.
Because of Christmas, I now have a flawless model to follow. Jesus did not say, “Go this way.” He said, “I am the Way; follow Me.” If there were no Christmas I’d be floundering.
Because Christ came, missionaries came to my country and introduced Christ to my great grand dad, I’m a Christian today. I am a missionary because of Christmas. Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.” I am not just a living Christian, I am a proclaiming Christian. That reminds me—
I am a Christian because of Christmas. Christ was born and so His followers were called Christians. If there were no Christmas I’d be called ... what?
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, Mob:8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
