Lyle's Blog

Christmas has come and gone. It’s celebrated by millions of people. For some, it’s about Santa and gifts. For Christians it’s all about Christ, at least we say it is. We do plenty of gift-giving, parties, and to a large degree, copy the world.

Two thousand years ago Jesus Christ was born. There are Christians who say we shouldn’t celebrate His birth. We didn’t used to do that they say. Just because you didn’t do something before doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. There is something to be said for the wisdom of those who came before us, but not everything from before our time needs to be relived.

If God made peace with man through Jesus Christ then I would think His arrival would be worth celebrating. The Bible states that God is angry with the world continually. The flood of Noah is an indication God isn’t some loveable fuzz ball ready and willing to forgive people’s sins. He saved Noah and his family worth saving, eight people.

If God is that dangerous to sinners then whatever provision He makes to escape HIs wrath should be celebrated, shouted from the rooftops. It’s good news. God loved the whole world, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Men were and are in bondage to sin and thanks be to God that Jesus Christ is our go-between Him and us.

God, creator of everything, was willing to humble himself to the image He had created, to be born, grow up in a world by its very nature offended Him daily, and at the very pinnacle of youth, thirty-three years old, gave up His life to God, receiving in His own body and spirit the anger of God.

I thank God for sending His son to take my place on that cross and giving me a friend who sticks closer than a brother. And for that reason, I celebrate His birth. I am glad Jesus was born. Happy day when Jesus took my sins away.