Christmas has come and gone … 10 days ago.

So why am I posting a Christmas article the first week of the new year … 2020!

Let me explain.

From the Thought of the Day in the Almanac section of the December 24th, 2019 Arizona Republic newspaper (yes, I read it daily!), I found the following quote: “Christmas comes, but once a year is enough.”

Though most quotations are from well-known individuals, this one was labeled an American proverb. One that I had never seen before; thus, I have no idea how old it is or how many Americans have heard it. Or how many agree with it. If they do agree, to what extent?

On the other hand, that doesn’t really matter; the reality is all too evident in our increasingly secularized society. A post-modern world so politically correct that we risk frowns and sometimes even contempt if we say Merry Christmas in mixed company.

By mixed company, I’m referring to the agnostics and atheists among us; to those of other religions and cultures who want nothing to do with Jesus Christ, and certainly not his claim that he is the (only) Way to God the Father. That salvation from our sins and pardon from the penalty thereof is possible only by believing and receiving him as Personal Savior.

Or those who claim that: (1) Separation of church and state is found in the United States Constitution … it is not; (2) Consequently, there should be no reason to commemorate Christmas with any “religious” overtones or symbols.

What’s your take on this proverb? Do you know anyone who feels that way about Christmas? Do you?

Because of the pressures of the season—buying presents, decorating trees, stringing lights, entertaining relatives, preparing extravagant meals—is it a relief that Christmas comes only once a year? After all, life is stressful enough; the notion of celebrating such a demanding holiday more than once a year would be….

Until I read this American proverb, I wasn’t going to write an article about Christmas (last year 2019). That and reading the results of a research survey conducted by OnePoll in Great Britain, reposted in the Christian Post. One geared to the generation that has been given the tag of Millennials.

As follows: nearly 40% of Britons in the 21-28 age group could not identify the baby in Christmas Nativity displays. Nor could they name Joseph or Mary. And less than 10% knew the three gifts (gold, frankincense, and myrrh) from the Magi.

This phenomenon is a clear-cut indication of the of the anti-Christian culture that has become prevalent throughout Europe. And it’s catching on in the United States of America. So much so that many in the Western world prefer that such scenes not be displayed publicly (or even privately) at all.

Sadly, for many, Christmas would be more tolerable without reminiscing, let alone cherishing, the true Christmas story. Others ostensibly celebrate the birth of a world-famous baby without knowing why that child came to humanity. Nor do they really care. No need to remember who or what the season is all about. Just do Christmas and when it’s over, sigh: I’m glad it only comes once a year.

What Child Is This?

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us… (Isaiah 9:6a).

This amazing prophecy was referring distinctly to Israel’s Messiah, who also would be the Messiah to the Gentiles as declared in Isaiah 49:6 and other passages.

None other than Jesus of Nazareth, born in a lowly manger, “…whose origins are in the distant past” (Micah 5:2).

He is the Son of God, Son of David, and (as Jesus often referred to himself) Son of Man. Indeed, he is THE UNIVERSAL SON of mankind. Yet, he is also divine, conceived by the Holy Spirit. Only Jesus was qualified to be the perfect (sinless life) substitutionary sacrifice to forgive sin and make us right with God.

“For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ” (II Corinthians 5:21).

Continuing with Isaiah 9:6-7: “…The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!”

Although this week’s article is (slightly) post-Christmas, I’d like to think it’s timeless—appropriate for any time of the year. Especially to our younger generation, those in their teens and twenties and even thirties. Every generation has its unique set of problems, depending on national and international military, political, cultural, and economic changes, challenges, and crisis. And, as I’ve stated in several prior articles (tracking Biblical prophecy with 20th & 21st century events and ongoing developments), we are surely living in the last days of the end times.

The waning importance and impact of Christmas didn’t happen overnight. It began with my generation.

As a Bible Scholar, I’ve studied extensively and intensively the Scriptures (particularly prophecy) and secular history. Neither two World Wars nor the Great Depression of the 1930s led to the kind of spiritual complacency and moral decay (a direct result of secular humanism mentality) that has mushroomed in the last 50 years or so—particularly the past decade. Yet, the increasing indifference and (sometimes) hostility toward the real meaning of Christmas is not just about Christmas itself. It is a symptomatic tip-of-the-iceberg spectacle that represents the perplexing apathy and antagonism for the light of God’s truth found only in His Word—the Bible.

We’ve lost our innocence. No stronger proof of which is the disrespect harbored and expressed by old and young alike towards authority and toward each other.

Polarization is the buzz word in today’s hostile world. Conservative (Republican) / Liberal (Democrat); Old / Young; Male / Female; Rich / Poor; and White vs. Person of Color.

Here’s what the Apostle Paul wrote as a mentor to a young believer, Timothy, concerning the end times. Notice that Paul doesn’t talk about geopolitical rivalries, national or international conflicts, or cultural and racial differences. Rather, he cites the spiritual condition of the final (Omega) generation, focusing mostly, but not entirely, on the youth.

“You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred (such as the Christ of Christmas). They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly (the power of God’s salvation to change their heart and revere the Christ of Christmas). Stay away from people like that!” (II Timothy 3:1-5, parenthesis mine as pertaining the symptomatic suppression of the Christ in the current Christmas mindset of many).

Then, in stark contrast, Paul encourages Timothy: “But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right” (II Timothy 3:14-16).

Messiah Jesus’s Mission

In both letters to Timothy, the Apostle Paul reminded him of who Jesus was/is and why he came to this earth. In every one of these passages, we could easily insert a parenthetical commentary to the effect: It all began with the birth of Christ. We must never forget that. Remember why he came and what he has done and will do for all who place their faith in him.

For example: “This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…’” (I Timothy 1:15).

“Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For, there is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom (from sin and its penalty) for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time” (I Timothy 2:2-6, italics for emphasis, parenthesis mine).

And what a time that was!

“At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire…. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David (so was Mary), he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son…” (Luke 2:1-6, emphasis added, parenthesis mine).

You know the rest of the story … don’t you!? It’s the epic Christmas Chronicle; the beginning of the Greatest Story ever told.

Back to Paul and Timothy.

Regarding Messiah’s return (second coming), Paul again emphasizes the timing of it: “For, at just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords” (I Timothy 6:15).

In his second letter to Timothy, Paul writes: “For God saved us and called us to live a holy (set apart) life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News” (II Timothy 1:9-10, parenthesis mine).

From before time began, God conceived a perfect plan for what he knew would become fallen humanity. At the ideal time, that plan was set into motion with the awesome birth of God’s Son. The perfect timing of his birth changed the very keeping of time … from B.C. to A.D. Thus, altering the course of human history by conquering death through his remarkable resurrection from the grave.

“Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendent of King David was raised from the dead. This is the good news I preach” (II Timothy 2:8).

Christmas is the beginning, but not the end of the story. So, let’s not leave baby Jesus in the manager. Let’s not let our nights (and days) be silent just because Christmas is over for another year. Let’s sing and shout (or at least remember) Joy to the World, the Lord has come. Let earth receive her King! (Personally, I could sing that song anytime of the year—say, the 4th of July!)

Let’s fully acknowledge, appreciate, and apportion (share) the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ—the New Covenant of salvation through faith in God’s gracious gift. Which began with the birth of Messiah Jesus. He is the child born to us; the son given to us.

In the last chapter of Paul’s final letter before he was executed during Nero’s reign, he writes:

“I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom: Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching….” (II Timothy 4:1-3a).

Those who are more familiar with older translations of the Bible, such as the New American Standard will recognize verse two as: “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season…”

The deeper repercussion and more serious problem of Christmas without Christ is that it can and has adversely affected every season of our individual and national lives. Many no longer need or want God in their lives. They no longer acknowledge his sovereignty or seek his counsel. They ignore his precious promises and powerful prophecies concerning Messiah Jesus, that have and will continue to shape our destiny. They consider things 20 years ago as irrelevant, let alone 2,000 years ago. Nothing is timeless to them.

What do I mean by a Christ-less Christmas affecting every season of our lives, including other significant Holidays? I’ll answer that with a couple of excerpts from an Eye of Prophecy article posted on 12-20-14. Entitled: Merry Christmas … What’s It All About?

As follows (in italics):

Stay with me; you know what I’m saying. It isn’t whether we use the word happy or merry. It’s that word, Christmas that causes all the fuss. Shhh … not so loud.

More than that: it’s the name Christ that gets so many people all up tight. That’s right … all it takes is a mention of his name. That is, unless it’s used as profanity … no problem then. A person is compelled to say something meaningful when they hit their thumb with a hammer. Right?

Why? Because His name is who he is (Yeshua in Hebrew, Jesus in Greek/English, both mean Savior), and a lot of folks just can’t handle that. They don’t want or need a Savior. Certainly not one who claims that he is the Son of God, that he alone is “The Way, The Truth, and The Life” (John 14:6). How exclusively narrow-minded can anyone be? The fact that he was born of a Virgin, performed amazing miracles, and then arose from the dead to validate his claim as Messiah who alone can redeem, can forgive sin; is an affront to those who maintain that self-enabled good works and innate self-worth is the only way to God.

PC is the Password

…No other holiday causes anything close to the angst experienced and consternation expressed by the secular among us or those of another religion who take offense at hearing the very name of Jesus or even a special representation of his name—Christmas. In fact, the very name of Christ and Christmas is an embarrassment to many. It’s just not politically correct.

…According to those who dislike, even detest the name of Jesus Christ, or perhaps the less adamant who, nevertheless, don’t want to offend anyone else of a different religion, wouldn’t it be better just to omit any reference to Jesus Christ during Christmas? (Shhh … not so loud).

Do Muslims or non-Muslims whisper when they say Mohammed or Ramadan? Jews or non-Jews when they utter Moses or Hanukkah? Since whispering doesn’t fit with all the sights of Frosty the Snowman, smells of roasting chestnuts, and sounds of Jingle Bells, many simply change the real meaning of and reason for Christmas not necessarily by speaking softly and carrying a big peppermint stick. Rather, by replacing a simple but intensely meaningful, joyful, and hope-filled greeting with a ho-hum, humdrum, monotonous, “Happy Holidays.” We have no problem with Happy Valentine, but “Merry Christmas” creates real issues. (I know … not so loud).

Simple solution isn’t it: Just say Happy Holidays. And presto, no more infringement on all those who champion the cause of tolerance, of broad-mindedness, of acceptance. Oops … except for the Christians. But then, non-Christians have no obligation whatsoever to be tolerant of Christians. After all, aren’t Christians the most intolerant people ever to walk the face of the earth? They are so inconsiderate because they believe that Christ came to this earth to die for their sins, to save them from hell; that he arose from the dead to prove that he was telling the truth—that he is the majestic Son of God—that only he can bring light and peace to a dark and troubled world? That’s about as exclusively one-sided as you can get.

Then a little later in that article:

Yet, the only way a tolerant person can be truly tolerant is to first be selectively intolerant of whoever or whatever they think is intolerant. Did you get that? If not, who can blame you? Because that is how intolerably unenlightened the logic is of those who contend (pretend) that tolerance should trump all other world views no matter that tolerance in the extreme leads only to intolerance. Meaning that if just one person or group of people disagrees with you; then for the sake of tolerance at all costs, you must make an exception and be intolerant of those dissenting views. If someone didn’t get that, then they’re not as tolerantly open-minded as they think.

What’s the use …? I give up. I’m going to be PC and wish you a very Happ….

Wrong. Make that a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!

For you see

It occurs to me

That we can make something else

Of this thing called PC.

Positively Christian!

Yes, I’m borrowing a lot from that article … nevertheless, let’s continue:

Without Jesus, is there really any reason whatsoever to celebrate Christmas? …Why bother to put Christmas lights on something once known as a Christmas tree? Why take the time to fight the crowds in order to do something as frustrating as Christmas shopping? Why on earth would anyone want to send greetings of good will and cheer on something as archaic as a Christmas card? Who in their right mind would be so cheeky as to sing irrelevant Christmas carols like Joy to the World, when Frosty the Snowman can accompany us all the way to our Holiday shopping spree and back?

…So, let me get this straight: It’s still (PC) appropriate to give and receive gifts, but don’t say Merry Christmas to the clerk who just wrapped the gifts you purchased for your children and your spouse. After the sale, be polite and wish her Happy Holidays; which is what she said to you after taking your money. And when opening the gifts under the Holiday tree, certainly don’t wish your child a Merry Christmas. He could get the wrong impression: that the gift opened might just represent and be in remembrance of the greatest gift of all time—God’s own Son as a ransom for our redemption. We can still put up lights … preferably holiday lights. But no nativity scenes anywhere in public places. God forbid: Someone might be offended or get the wrong impression that this Holiday is truly holy… instead of just another holiday.

Sorry, did I say God forbid. How careless. You know what I meant to say: Would the man upstairs please overlook my outdated, irrelevant, presumptuous, intolerant notion that Christmas ever existed in the first place. Or if it did, it has no relevance whatsoever in today’s post-modern existential, expedient, politically correct society that tolerates anything and everything except one thing: The Name of Christ or anything or anyone that bears His name. Whatever is thought, said, or done: don’t say that name or anything that reminds the world who he is.

…I happen to love Israel, love the Jewish people, and love the Jewish Savior who is Jewish through and through. But even if I didn’t, I have no problem with Happy Hanukkah. I do, however, have a problem with Happy Holidays. It’s more than just semantics. It’s a deliberate politically correct, socially expedient substitution for the very essence of my faith and the faith of millions of others who have trusted in what God’s Son did for us and the whole human race; starting with his miraculous birth (Christmas), culminating in his miraculous resurrection from the dead (Easter resurrection day).

For one thing, we have plenty of Happy Holidays throughout the year.

What’s so wrong with the one time of year that incorporates the very best of all those holidays into the most precious, powerful, and profitable sequence of events ever to hit the human race: The birth, life, death, and resurrection of Messiah Jesus.

So Then, How Is It Possible to Leave Jesus Christ Out of Christmas?

Marginalizing or (worse) ignoring the fact that Christ Jesus is the one and only real reason for a Christmas season is both cause and effect of spiritual blindness and deafness to such truths as: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 33:12).

I’m not talking about a state religion or a religious state that seeks to legislate morality. Please see Eye of Prophecy articles, Separation of Church and State, Part I & Part II (April 2016) for what I believe is a balanced view of that ever-present issue.

In fact, if you know anything at all about the Bible, you’ll find that the Lord abhors all man-made religions. Reason: all religions have one thing in common. They seek to appease or please God (or their own man-made god, such as Allah) through their self-worth or good deeds.

Whereas, Biblical redemption declares:

Man-made religions and cults say: Do what our religion says to do, and you just might make it.

God’s salvation says: It’s been done … just believe and receive the One who did for us what we cannot possibly do for ourselves.

Thus, the Christian faith is NOT a religion. It is a relationship with Messiah Jesus who came to us in human form through a divine birth. How, then, is it possible that Christ can be (has been) removed from Christmas by so many?

For a nation—via governmental restrictions or regulations—to disparage or deny or even to downgrade what the true and living God considers to be the most significant event of human history (life, death, resurrection of His Son, beginning with his birth) is to jeopardize and eventually forfeit God’s blessings on that nation, as expressed in the truth and principles of the Bible.

Such as: “Trust in the Lord and do good (we do good because we’ve been redeemed, not in order to get saved). Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you… Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act…” (Psalm 37:3-7a, italics for emphasis, parenthesis mine).

Yes, the Lord blesses and honors people and nations whose God is The Lord.

“Put your hope in the Lord. Travel steadily along his path. He will honor you by giving you the land. You will see the wicked destroyed” (Psalm 37:34).

The United States of America was clearly a gift from God to honor those who came to this land seeking freedom to worship God and begin a new life built on the Judeo/Christian heritage. He blessed this nation with that freedom and great abundance. It amazes me that so many in today’s America (indeed, the whole world) have forgotten or never recognized this correlation between honoring God and being honored and blessed in return.

There’s another practical principle of God’s blessing in Scripture. One that pertains to treatment of the Jews and Israel—chosen by God to bring us the Scriptures and the Living Word … Messiah Jesus (John 1:1): Those who bless Israel will, in turn, be blessed. And those who curse Israel…. (Genesis 12).

Removing Christ from Christmas is another sign of eliminating God from our national conscience. Doing either can lead to loss of God’s provisions and protection. Most of all … his presence.

Why? Because God the Father’s magnificent plan for humanity—individually and corporately—is centered in his Son’s extraordinary life (teaching and miracles), substitutionary sacrificial death, and astounding resurrection from the dead. And it all began with Jesus’s miraculous birth—the very heart of Christmas.

What every person does about Jesus Christ will determine their eternal destiny—heaven or hell. God allows no neutrality when it comes to his Son. You either believe and receive Christ as personal Savior or you don’t. Moreover, this life on earth is the only time given to us to make that decision. After we die, it’s too late.

Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle John also wrote:

“And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life. I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know (not just think or hope, but know beyond any doubt) you have eternal life” (I John 5:11-13, parenthesis mine).

Here is the final excerpt from, Merry Christmas … What’s It All About?

Jesus is the Reason for Every Season!

New Year’s: An exciting time for all to contemplate a new start … to be better, to do better.

Jesus, himself, the giver of second chances, of a new beginning, a new life … everlasting. “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (II Corinthians 5:17). In the next to last chapter of the Bible, God said to John: “Look, I am making everything new!” (Revelation 21:5).

Martin Luther King Day: A champion of racial equality, of equal opportunity for all.

In Christ, all are equal. There is absolutely no discrimination by Christ. Yes, his salvation is exclusive, because he is the only way to God and everlasting life (Acts 4:12). But he and his message are also unconditionally inclusive to ALL who believe and receive him. “For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26 & 28).

Valentine’s Day: Love makes the world go around. “Would you be my valentine?” we plead.

Concerning true everlasting love and life, we need only ask, “Jesus, would you be my Savior?”

God IS Love. “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Memorial Day: Brave men and woman fought and gave their lives to help us preserve freedom from tyranny and oppression.

Christ gave his life to free us from sin which produces tyranny and cruelty and all that is wrong with humanity.

“The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit” (Romans 8:3-4).

And so, we remember what Christ said and did: “He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.’ After supper he took another cup of wine and said, ‘This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you’” (Luke 22:19-20).

Independence Day (4th of July): A constitutional body founded on the profound principle of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We salute a flag that symbolizes a vibrant government of the people, by the people, and for the people. “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation indivisible, under God, with liberty and justice for all.”

Even greater is the body of Christ, as Paul writes to the believers in Corinth: “The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit” (I Corinthians 12:12-13).

Christ has great power to change the world, one redeemed heart at a time. Listen to the Apostle Paul, “I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself” (Ephesians 1:19-23).

Labor Day: Each year we set aside this day to rest from our weary labor that provides for our families.

But Christ is our ultimate rest … a respite from the unnecessary struggle to gain salvation through good works. From the guilt of sin, from the uncertainty of death. “Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light’” (Matthew 11:28-30).

Thanksgiving: The Pilgrims and founding fathers were immensely grateful to God for his providence and provisions in sustaining them through troubled times of testing and trials.

Without Christ’s willingness to come to this world he created, take on human form, and then die for the horrible things that everyone has done (some more than others but God doesn’t grade on a curve), we all would be helpless and hopeless.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7, NASB, italics for emphasis).

And don’t forget Easter. For those who place their trust in Christ, that day represents the first day of the rest of their lives … life that goes on and on and on, ad infinitum. Unless Christ rose from the dead, there would be no hope of our resurrection from the grave. And a Merry Christmas—any kind of Christmas—would have no meaning at all.

Mother’s Day. Father’s Day. Pick a holiday … any other holiday not listed here. And you’ll find that Jesus can also be the reason for that season.

Things to Ponder

We are just a few days past that time of the year.

Did you miss it?

Many might say: “Of course, I didn’t miss it. Put up a tree, strung some lights, listened to holiday music, exchanged presents, ate everything in sight. It was okay, but I’m glad it’s over.”

Let me put it another way: Did you miss Him? Did you even think about Jesus? Did you speak his name aloud?

“Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven” (Hebrews 1:1-3).

“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11).

We all have a choice:

“But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved….” (Joel 2:32).

What say you about the Christ of Christmas?

(A belated) MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Happy New Year