Observations©
By Donald S. Conkey
Date: December 23, 2010 - # 1052 - Title: Christmas:
what does it mean to you? (751)
Each of us, each in our own way, has a meaning of Christmas unique
to us alone – like our fingerprints are unique to us alone. The meaning of Christmas to a two year
old, seeing for the first time a lighted Christmas tree with beautifully wrapped packages under it, is far different than
a young couple holding their first child; or to an aged man or woman who have witnessed numerous Christmas’ each distinct
and unique for their age at the time.
The progressive atheist, bent on creating a one-world government, will see Christmas as their enemy and attempt to destroy
it using tools such as political correctness and fellow thinking judges to turn Merry Christmas to Happy Holidays and change
its true meaning from the birth of Jesus to just another secular holiday, those that are now upset that Merry Christmas
is “in again.”
For the Christian Christmas will mean something far different than it will mean to those
who do not believe Jesus Christ is their Savior or the Creator and Supreme Judge of the world. Even ‘culturally oriented
Christians,’ those who attend church only twice a year, will think of Christmas differently than the Christian who
takes seriously the covenants they made at their baptism and have become dedicated disciples of Jesus Christ.
For me though
Christmas goes beyond, far beyond the glittery lights, the lighted tree, and the beautifully wrapped gifts beneath the tree,
though these are a vital part of my Christmases – Christmas is a reminder of something special that happened long ago
that impacts me even today, aged as I am, with a hope and promise of something far greater than mortality, and the joys
that have come with mortality, yes even beyond salvation - eternal life, life in the presence of God the Father and His
Son Jesus the Christ.
Yes Christmas reminds me of the birth of Jesus that is so beautifully told in Luke 2; of Joseph and Mary’s trip to
Bethlehem where Jesus was born and wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger; when heavenly choirs declared his
birth; of the shepherds’ in their fields watching their sheep; of the birth of a new star to celebrate the birth of
the Savior; and of the wise men who came from afar to worship the Christ-child.
But Christmas also reminds me of the purpose of Jesus’ birth
and life. This reminder is recorded in Matthew 1:20-21 where an angel told Joseph, in a dream, “fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy
Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shall call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”
This was reinforced later to Mary, as recorded in Luke 1:31, with these words: “And,
behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.” Luke
1:32 reinforces this with: “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the
Highest.” Interestingly the Hebrew root for Jesus is “Jehoshua,” which connects the New
Testament Jesus to the Old Testament Jehovah. Coincidence! I don’t think so.
Christmas reminds me of the Atonement (Luke 22:42-44), his arrest, his mock trial, the Cross on
Calvary, and the Tomb, where, following his resurrection the resurrected Jesus Christ, “beginning at Moses and all
the prophets, expounding unto them in all the scriptures …” (Luke 24:27) which would have likely included his
words recorded by Moses that declared: “For behold this my work and my glory – to bring to pass the immortality
and eternal life of man.” John reinforced this declaration in 17:1-4, where Jesus, while praying to his Father, stated
(verse 4) “I have glorified thee on the earth, I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.”
This verse provided for me a defining moment, a pivotal
point in my aged life. It reminded me once again, as the preacher declared in Ecclesiastes, there is a time and place for
all things. This verse helped me understand I still have a labor to perform – even as I grow old - that I must continue
to serve Him.
Yes,
Christmas reminds me, and all those “Wise Men and Women” that still adore Him that He was born, lived the sinless
life, gave hope to all, was crucified and rose from the grave that all “shall be made alive.” (1 Cor 15:22)
Merry
Christmas!
Wishing each of our dear family members - and friends
A Very Merry Christmas
&
Happy New Year
At this special time of the year, as we gather together our families to exchange gifts, may we also
share with those we love the most our joy and happiness that is grounded in our knowledge that our Savior, even Jesus Christ,
lives and loves each one of us – beyond our comprehension - and that by adhering to, and abiding by the principles
he has given to all mankind we are better prepared to weather all the storms of life – including the storms of economic
instabilities that surround us today and threaten the peace, freedom and liberties of all mankind
Don
and Joan Conkey
