example of love, far beyond the power of human language to de scribe, It is that great example of God sending His own Son to save us (I John 4:9). We cannot possib ly know what love is unless we understand it by receiving Jesus Christ as Saviour. We love Him because He first loved us. You can not stop God from loving you! Simplicity By DR. DAVID HOCKING Jesus Himself is. what Christmas is all about. It has been said often before, and yet it is still true the world over—and particularly here in our own land where commercial ism of the season has been to ttte detriment of God's truth. Should you travel to Bethlehem today you would see man-made ritualism de grading what must have been a simple, beautiful scene when Jesus was born in the manger. As you read again the inspired story of our Saviour's birth in Luke 2, one has to be impressed with the way this event of all history actually transpired. It makes one heart-sick to realize how far people have come from the simplicity of New Testament times and teachings. According to the Bible, Jesus was born in a stable. There was no room for Him in the inn so they wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger. What poor and meager surroundings. We are not to complicate the message as God has given it. Paul testified, "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity Page 30
Yes, Christmas means a great new hope extending far beyond this life. There can be for you a brand new dimension of living! Rev. Francine is Pastor of the Evan gelical Free Church of San Jose, California. In Christ that is in Christ" (II Corinthians 11:3). Never forget that Christmas means Jesus. I would like you to think seriously about what you are doing to exalt Jesus Christ at this time of year. Have you been in volved, like the shepherds of old, in glorifying and praising God for all the things you know about Him from Scripture? My conviction is that as Chris tians, we should not have anything to do with Santa Claus and all that accompanies such teaching. Do not confuse your children or corrupt their understanding by adding such things to the Gospel account. Why carry the symbols of Santa on your doors or trees? Tell your children the truth about the Saviour's birth. Make Him the center of all your thinking and activities. Then, do all you can to eliminate the commercial aspects of Christ mas. Do not become so wrapped up and busy with all the shopping and other activities that you can not really enjoy the wonders of the occasion itself. Take your time to eliminate the trimmings and trappings. More than anything, use this time to share your faith in Christ with
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