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The Un-Opened Christmas Gift

Many are aware of the Christmas Legend of  WWI in which the entire Western Front of British and German soldiers simultaneously laid down their weapons in an unofficial cease fire to celebrate Christmas Eve together.  Some dismiss this Legend as mere rubbish but the reports are too widespread and the agreement between stories is too complete for it to be anything other than fact.  In 1914 during the height of raging hot battle along the Western Front of Europe the British and German soldiers laid down their weapons and held a soccer match on the ice.  They shared their cigarettes and tinder boxes as presents.  The event was nothing less than a miracle brought about by a miraculous God.  During this time the soldiers caught a glimpse of something far bigger than themselves.  This was the fact that Christmas is a season of Love and Giving that is unlike any other.  As Collin Raye tells the Legend, "As time was still the Spirit moved the soldiers to lay down their arms and raise their voice in song"

Yet what could bring about such peace amongst bitter enemies in the heat of battle?  Could a mere weariness of fighting bring on such drastic happenings?  This is possible but a mere weariness of fighting is more likely to have brought about a series of mass suicides than it is to have brought about peace between men stuck in such a hateful war.  It is more likely that these people were touched deeply in the heart of a season in which Love and Peace are the norm rather than exception.  Amidst the Love and Peace of this season, the Love of God is a topic of fundamental discussion.  I say fundamental because people who never think about God or church during another time, flock in mass to the services to hear the story of the nativity, observe the tradition, and sing the carols that we all have come to love and cherish since the days of childhood.

God is Love.  The bible is replete with the riches of God's Love.  The word Love is discussed more than almost any topic in the bible.  Isn't it wonderful! Let it sink in for a second, "The Creator of the Universe Loves You, Madly."  It might just as well have been as Renee Descartes feared, that God were, "an evil genius seeking to deceive."  As it turns out the God of the Universe is a God of Love, Peace, and Order.  Solomon wrote of Him, "He brought me to the banqueting house, and His banner over me was Love." (Song of Solomon 2:4) Through the mouth of the prophet Jeremiah, God has revealed to us His heart felt passion, "Yea, I have Loved you with an everlasting Love." (Jeremiah 31:3)  The Apostle Paul said of Him, "Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the Love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:39)

Yet for so many this Love remains idle year after year.   It sits beneath the tree unopened and its riches neither partaken of nor enjoyed.  Only the ribbons are teased gingerly as it is placed back beneath the tree.  For many the thought is, "I'll open it next year"  Perhaps this is the reason why that "Holy Infant so Tender and Mild" was received into this world in a barn instead of a warm house.  He is that unopened gift.  "He came on to His own, and His own received Him not.  But as many as received Him to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."  (John 3:11-13)  "For God so Loved the World, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not His son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:16-17)  "For by Grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."  (Ephesians 2:8-9)  This holiday season receive the gift of God.  Lay aside all of the vain attempts to achieve the riches of heaven and of God's Love through good works, giving, or any other worthless endeavor.  Instead receive simply and as a child receiving a Christmas gift, the Grace of Jesus Christ.  It's as simple as ABC.

Still it doesn't stop there.  Jesus is the Gift that keeps on Giving.  Year after year it is possible to unwrap more and more of the fullness of His Love and Grace.  This Grace was not meant only to save but also to change a man from the inside out.  "Moreover the law entered, that the offense might abound.  But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.  What shall we say then?  Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?  God forbid.  How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"  (Romans 5:20-6:2)  "For this is the Love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grevious.  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." (I John 5:3-4)  Well I better get back to Christmas because it looks like I have a lot of UN-wrapping to do.  I guess we all do.  Merry Christmas!  Jesus Loves You.