It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

By Bill Brandstatter     It never ceases to amaze me that Christmas seems to come earlier every year. This year before Labor Day, Christmas items were on display in stores. Why is this so? Why is the Christmas season seemingly coming earlier every year?     For retailers, the main reason is: MONEY! Sales at Christmas time exceed the sales earlier in the year. The Friday after Thanksgiving is called the biggest shopping day of the year. Some have referred to that day as “Black Friday.”     There are some aspects of the Christmas season that have nothing to do with the presents and the prices. The joy that permeates this season gives everybody a real boost. Joy is one of those fruits of the Spirit that Paul mentions in Gal. 5:22. The happiness Christmas brings to many is simply beautiful.     I have seen joy already in some people. As travel plans are made and gifts are purchased, joy is behind all that is being done. This joy needs to be extended to the rest of the year.     Christ is all about joy. When the angel appeared to the shepherds in the field when Christ was born, he announced, “I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.” (Lk. 2:10 NKJV) The gospel message ought to bring joy to everyone.     The joy of Christianity centers on the hope of heaven and a life better and more bountiful than this life. Paul wrote: “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I say, rejoice! (Phil. 4:4)     Joy is the reason I like the Christmas season so much. The joy in the eyes of children brings a smile to the faces of many. The joy of giving is truly a Biblical concept. Jesus stated, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)     My hope is that you will have great joy this season. The joy that is found in Christ is beyond any present that can be found in any store.

Bill Brandstatter preaches for the Marion Church of Christ in Marion, IL. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://marionchurchofchrist.com/

Home For The Holidays

By Bill Brandstatter
    Home becomes a magnet for the heart at this time of the year. The holiday season is when Americans go home. Families separated by miles or years come together. Children who have left home to pursue dreams and careers come back trying to recapture whatever it was they left to escape! This human desire for home is a reminder of some great spiritual truths.    1) God Gave Us Earthly Homes To Prepare Us For A Heavenly Home. We have an instinctive longing for home. That is due in part to the fact that the home and family are creations of God-given for the good of mankind. (Genesis 2:18-19) God's intent is for the home to be one of the sweetest blessings which this world can provide. To that end, God has given us laws to regulate the home so it can be all He intended it to be (Ephesians 5:22-23). The Bible tells us that “Those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland” (Heb. 11:14 NKJV). Ecclesiastes 3:11 tells us that God has set eternity in our hearts. In all of us there is an instinctive longing for home. Later, Solomon writes, “For man goes to his eternal home” (Eccl. 11:5). That instinct is rooted in heaven. Popular wisdom says, "You can't go home again;” but God does not place any longing in us which He Himself cannot satisfy! We can't go back, but we can go forward to our greater home. (John 14:1-3) God gives us “ a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Cor. 5:1).    2) Christ Left Home So We Could Go Home. Being separated from those you love especially at times like the Holidays is painful. Our most tragic, most serious separation is separation from God. God created us; He loves us; but we become estranged from Him through sin: “Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear.” (Isaiah 59:1 -2, NKJV) God devised a plan to bring us back home. To accomplish that plan, when the time was right, He sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law that we might receive adoption as His children. (Galatians 4:4-5.) Jesus gave up His home in glory to come to this world on a mission of reclamation! (2 Corinthians). In His last years on earth, Jesus had no home: "...The Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head..." (Luke 9:58) During those years of service and sacrifice and suffering...did He long for the home in which He had grown to manhood? Did He long for His mothers cooking? More to the point, did He long for the home He had left in glory? He could have had it; but Jesus deliberately chose to leave home for our sake! "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10) The real question is, will you be going home for eternity?     3) Christ Gives us a Home Better Than Our Earthly Home. Christ is making mansions or dwelling places for us. (John 14:1-4) Paul identified the fact that we are not citizens here (Phil. 3:20). The Bible often uses the term “stranger” or “pilgrim” to describe the Christians here on earth (1 Peter 2:11). Sometimes the word “sojourner” is used. All these describe the individual who is out of place. A “pilgrim” and “sojourner” gives the idea of someone just passing through an area on the way to somewhere else. Notice what Paul says in 2 Cor. 5:1--“For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”    Won’t it be great when some day we truly go home. Won’t it be wonderful there!!

- Bill Brandstatter preaches for the Marion Church of Christ in Marion, IL. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://marionchurchofchrist.com/

Some Good Resolutions

By Dan C. Bailey     It is beneficial to make good resolutions for the New Year. When we reflect upon the past and plan for the future, resolutions are very helpful. How could we ever improve ourselves without resolving to do so? Here are some resolutions which will help us all to have a happy and blessed New Year. Let Us Resolve To Read The Bible Daily This is a simple resolution, and one that all Christians should make. If not, then why not? The Bible is the inspired and inerrant Word of God. It will strengthen our souls, guide our feet, and help us to have the best year possible. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105). "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (II Tim. 3:16-17). "I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches" (Psalm 119:14).   Let Us Resolve To Teach Others What We Know Jesus gave the great commission to the apostles. "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen" (Matt. 28:18-20). Now think about it for a moment. If Jesus commanded His apostles to teach the lost, and then commanded them to observe all things which He commanded them, then Jesus by implication has given the great commission to the disciples who were taught by the apostles. Then, they in turn taught the great commission to others whom they taught. So today, as Christians, we are to teach others the gospel and then baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. In a parallel passage we read, "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:15-16).

- Dan C. Bailey serves as a minister with the State Street Church of Christ in Bristol, VA. He may be contacted through the congregation's website at https://www.thelordsway.com/statestreetchurchofchrist/framedindex.asp?Group=Home

Behold, a Child Is Born

By Andrew Beasley     It is that time of year again where the world begins to talk about the birthday of our savior, Jesus of Nazareth. You might see a bumper sticker on a car or two that read “Jesus is the reason for the Season” or “Keep Christ in Christmas.” When you read those statements, you might have the urge to talk about how Jesus was probably born sometime between March and May but certainly not in December. Maybe you will want to talk about how we were never instructed to remember Jesus’ birthday, and in fact Christ told us how He desires us to remember Him and it is through the memorial of the Lord’s Supper.     Let me encourage you to fight those urges. There is certainly a time and a place to have those discussions but let us not discourage anyone, at any point in time, for having their thoughts centered on Jesus. His birth is not something we should avoid talking about. Truly, His birth is something we should rejoice over because without Christ taking on flesh we would lose out on so much, not the least of which is a high priest who understands personally what the day-to-day life of being a human is like (Heb. 4:15-16).     Use these opportunities while the world is focused on Jesus to teach them about what He gave for them, regardless of what day He was born on, and rejoice with them that the Son of God took on flesh to become the sacrifice we desperately needed.

- Andrew Beasley serves as a minister with the Northwest Church of Christ in Greensboro, NC. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: https://nwchurchofchrist.com/about/

Auld Lang Syne

By David R. Ferguson     Auld Lang Syne is a Scottish song written by Robert Burns in 1788 and sung in the English-speaking world each year since as the New Year dawns. Burns’ lyrics were inspired heavily by an earlier work composed by James Watson in 1711. Watson’s poem, in turn, has roots in an earlier old Scottish song from Scotland’s ancient past. The Scottish words auld lang syne literally mean “old long since,” better stated as “for old time’s sake.” The words “till dine” in the fourth verse mean “dinner time.” The song begins, then, by asking poetically, "Is it best for us to forget our loved ones, those who have gone before us?" The chorus, then, answers this question by saying, “No, it’s better to remember our loved ones fondly and in memory of all the good times they gave us for old time’s sake."     It breaks our heart to lose our loved ones to death, but for those of us in Christ, we know this is really not true. They haven’t been lost at all to death, for death no longer holds sway over those who lived their lives faithfully in Christ due to His victory over the sting of death (1 Corinthians 15:57). Because of the great sacrifice He made on our behalf, we are assured that our loved ones have been called home to life eternal with their Lord. So, let’s all take a cup of kindness yet in their memory for auld lang syne, and rejoice in their blessed state they now are living!     Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? Should old acquaintance be forgot, and old lang syne? For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, We'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.     And surely you’ll buy your pint cup and surely I’ll buy mine! And we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne. For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, We'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.     We two have run about the slopes, and picked the daisies fine; But we’ve wandered many a weary foot, since auld lang syne. For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, We'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.     We two have paddled in the stream, from morning sun till dine; But seas between us broad have roared since auld lang syne. For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, We'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.     And there’s a hand my trusty friend and give us a hand o’ thine! And we’ll take a right good-will of draught, for auld lang syne. For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, We'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

- David R. Ferguson preaches for the Mentor Church of Christ in Mentor, OH.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://mentorchurchofchrist.com/ or davidferguson61@yahoo.com

When Silence Isn't Golden

By Joe Slater     We spend the first year trying to get the baby to talk; then we spend the next seventeen years trying to get him to be quiet!     There is a time to be silent (Ecclesiastes 3:7). Even Jesus was silent when the occasion called for it (Matthew 26:63).     But silence isn’t always golden. Sometimes it’s counterproductive or downright sinful. When David had sinned, his guilt ate him alive as long as he kept it bottled up inside. “When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long” (Psalm 32:3). Only when he confessed to God did he find pardon and relief.     When you have information that can help other people, remaining silent about it would be sinful! For example, when Syria besieged Jerusalem, a terrible famine resulted. The Lord caused the Syrians to flee, leaving behind abundant food. The four lepers who discovered it knew they must tell others. “This day is a day of good news, and we remain silent. If we want until morning light, some punishment will come upon us. Now therefore come, let us go and tell the king’s household” (2 Kings 7:9).     If remaining silent in that day of good news would have been sinful, how much more if Christians stay quiet about the gospel of Christ? Paul had suffered terrible abuse for evangelizing virtually everywhere he went. Still, he came to Corinth and led many to Christ. The Lord told him, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city” (Acts 18:9-10).     Speak to the Lord about your burden of sin! Speak to other people about the Gospel! Silence isn’t golden!

- Joe Slater serves as minister of the Church of Christ in Justin, TX. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://justinchurchofchrist.com

God's Benefit Package

By Joe Slater     While salary is obviously important, job hunters know that benefits can be equally or more important. Health insurance, paid vacation, retirement, sick days, and other considerations may tip the scale as to whether one accepts an employer’s offer.     Becoming a Christian isn’t a perfect parallel to being employed, so don’t make more of this illustration than you should. God doesn’t “owe” us anything for working for Him! Nevertheless, by His grace He provides valuable benefits to His willing servants. That was true even under the Law of Moses. David exclaimed, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits” (Psalm 103:2). Psalm 116:12 rhetorically asks, “What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?”     Do we recognize and appreciate the benefits of being a Christian? Let’s start with the most obvious one: forgiveness of sins. God washed us completely clean in the blood of the Lamb. Our debt is paid in full!     That naturally results in eternal life. We have a new life in Christ now, and we know that when our physical life ends, we will continue to live with the Lord.     In the meanwhile, we enjoy the privilege of prayer. Through our mediator, Jesus Christ, we can approach the Father’s throne of grace boldly, knowing that He will hear and answer in whatever way is best according to His infinite wisdom and love.     These benefits are but the beginning of a virtually endless list of advantages Christians have. And remember, we earned none of them. Our loving Father provides them by His grace.     What other benefits can you list?

- Joe Slater serves as minister of the Church of Christ in Justin, TX. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://justinchurchofchrist.com