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Is it okay to celebrate a myth?Dec 24, 2019 |
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| From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: I don’t believe in Jesus as a real person, but I do love the Christmas season with the Babe in the manger, the lights that represent hope, and the carols that speak of peace. Is it okay to celebrate a myth? — C.F. A: Christmas is a time filled with anticipation and preparation. Cards are sent and received, and the thrill of wrapping and unwrapping gifts makes for a joyful time shared with loved ones. Even today, people who don’t necessarily believe personally in Jesus as the Savior of the world send cards with pictures of what artists think Jesus may have looked like. There are images of the Babe in the manger, shepherds, and animals. The world is fascinated with the grandeur of the greatest story ever told. But it isn’t just a story. It is truth. No matter how Jesus is imagined, He has no stronger portrait than the one in the Bible. It is a picture of the man who is God. He is the foundation of Christianity. Since the quickest way to destroy any edifice is to tear out or weaken its base, people have always tried to disprove, ignore, or scoff at the claims of Christ. The hope of the world, however, is found only in the redemption from sin. This is dependent upon the deity of Christ. While there are attacks on the celebration of Christmas in the 21st century, Christmas has been commercialized and is big business. The reality is that Jesus is truth and proclaims all people are sinners. This is why He came to seek and save those who are lost (Luke 19:10). This is the story of Christmas and this is the portrait of the Son of God. On this Christmas Eve , believe in Him and receive Him. He is the Light of the world. ======== (This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.) (c)2019 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC. |
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Sometimes it seems as though we spend our lives waiting. Daydreaming about an upcoming vacation, worrying over a medical test, preparing for the birth of grandchild-our days are filled with anticipation and anxiety over what the future holds. As Christians, we too spend our lives waiting. But we are waiting for something much bigger than a trip, bigger even than retirement or a wedding: We are waiting for the return of Jesus in glory. Advent heightens this sense of waiting, because it marks not only our anticipation of Jesus’ final coming, but also our remembrance of his arrival into our world more than 2,000 years ago. Author Unknown
