Hello again. It’s December of 2022. We are all living above ground so that is good, right? I have a big question for you this month. Here it is:
“What does Christmas mean to you?
Some will say family and friends. Others will point to just another day, while yet others will say it’s a festival of tree lightings, gifts and parties.
I think that the real meaning was lost years ago when Santa appeared, and a money-making holiday was born. I used to be one of these, “festival” guys. Let’s party was my cry until I learned what Christmas was all about.
It’s not gifts and alcoholic drinks. It’s not family gatherings around a turkey or ham. It’s not tree lighting and parties. These things may enhance the holiday, but the real original celebration of Christmas was because it reflects the birth of Jesus, God’s only begotten Son.
They said he was God in human form. He was not half god and half man. He was all God and all man. Listen to what the apostle John recorded Jesus saying. It is found in the 3rd chapter of John’s gospel, the 16th verse.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
If we believe that Jesus is actually the Son of God, we acknowledge that he pre-existed as an eternal being before he was born into human flesh. John characterizes him as the “Word”
We also acknowledge that he was sent by God, the Father to earth for a specific purpose. Here again what john says about the only begotten Son of God.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (Jesus existed as the “Word” from the beginning.) The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. He came unto 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 on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John 1:1-14) The key points to remember are:
1. Jesus pre-existed before even creation as the “Word”
2. He was with God, and he was God.
3. H was sent to earth on a divine mission…To save mankind from their sin.
4. He created all things. Creation was his handiwork.
5. He possessed life, and it was the light of men.
6. The light of God shinned through Jesus into the hearts of all men and was not understood or accepted. But some did accept and were saved.
7. He came to his own, (The Jews) and was rejected but there were others that would believe that he actually came from God and was indeed his only begotten son.
8. All that would believe were given power to become the sons of God.
9. He took upon himself the role of a servant, giving up his divinity, to live as a man.
10. Being found in human flesh, instead of being divine, he humbled himself and became obedient unto the death of his own will and even the sacrificial death of the cross.
His obedience led him to become the spotless lamb spoken of by the prophets and the sacrifice for the sins of the entire world. (Isaiah 53:5)
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. (We can have the mind of Christ. We just need to allow it to happen.)
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5-11)
This is what we celebrate at Christmas. We give thanks to God for sending his only begotten Son that through him we can have eternal life. However, the greatest gift we can ever give to God is to receive Jesus into our hearts and make him Lord. When we do that, we fulfill our destiny and realize our full potential as God originally wanted. That is why we were created. That is why we are here. That is why we exist, to glorify God. That is what Christmas is all about. This Christmas, let us celebrate Jesus’ birth, why he came and who he really is.
A Good Christmas Gift for The Grandkids… An Elephant Named Clyde & Mister Tugboat Call to be sure they are in stock 3582-687-1776
Trivia Question…Last month I gave you one trivia question… Where did Jesus walk on water? The answer is the Sea of Galilee.
Here’s one for December…Where did Jesus get the bread and fish to feed 5,000 people?
Coming Soon, “Shadows in the Light of a Pale Moon” My Newest Book
I just finished my new book, the last one of this year and my 17th so far. The book is titled, “Shadows in the Light of a Pale Moon” It will sell for $14.95 and should be on the world-wide market soon. Here’s a synopsis. (Your V.I.P. price is $10 plus shipping)
“Shadows In the Light of a Pale Moon” is the story of Benny Ackerman, a fictional character that becomes the victim of a home invasion. He ends up killing one of the three intruders that broke into his home in the middle of the night. Because there was a death, his weapons were seized by police and a justification hearing was conducted to determine his mental competency.
During the investigation, police and the Judge both found that Benny’s actions violated multiple gun safety guidelines. He did everything wrong, and it was a wonder that he survived.
Benny was ordered to take a state sponsored gun safety and self-defense class before he could get his weapons back. During the class which had several other court-ordered folks, Benny learned the right way to defend himself and his family.
“Shadows In the Light of a Pale Moon” is written for anyone desiring to learn more about self-defense. Everyone can benefit from the many Tips, Do’s & Don’ts and a special section on “what to do in various situations.”
The book also focuses on 2nd Amendment Rights, Gun Control, Use of Deadly Force, Burglary Statistics, Home Inspections, Prevention Techniques, Victim Rights, Odds & Possibilities, The Christian Perspective, and much more.
Other books by John Marinelli are available at
www.marinellichristianbooks.com
For All You Karaoke Folks…Bart of MusicByBart is now doing karaoke at Mc Calls on Mondays from 1-4 and The Pub on Wednesdays from 5-8. See you there.
January Dance Party…Uncle Pepe will once again host his quarterly dance party. It is at Captiva recreation center in The Villages from 5-8 the 4th Sunday off January. Only Villagers can attend so if you live in the Villages, call him at 352-633-6300 and reserve a spot
I will leave you with this award-winning Christmas poem.
Wise Men Still Seek Him
Wise men still seek him
Who appeared so long ago.
They come now by grace
Through faithful hearts aglow
Wise men still seek him,
For he is their “Bread of Life”
A sustaining inner strength
Through times of sorrow or strife.
Wise men still seek him
The Christ of Calvary
God’s only begotten Son
Crucified as sin’s penalty.
Wise men still seek him,
Jesus, God in human array.
King of Kings and Lord of Lords,
Born to earth on Christmas Day.
Poem By John Marinelli
Until next time
John Marinelli, Author & Poet
johnmarineelli@embarqmail.com