THE HOPE OF THE WORLD - Reprint edited for December 2021
Growing old is fun. It must be true, because…
If time flies when you’re having fun… and the older I grow, the faster time flies… then, growing old must be fun.
How could it be that there are only 23 days left until Christmas? Where did the first 342 days of 2021 go?
As I write this article, Thanksgiving has been eclipsed by “Black Friday” commercials, and even though a brief Texas autumn still lingers in the air, advertisers earnestly try to convince us that it’s snowing outside. Department store shelves are lined with seasonal products, and clever marketers persuade us to buy, buy, buy...
Suddenly, in the flicker of a Christmas light, we find ourselves neck-deep in the hustle-bustle of the Christmas season. With this in mind, let’s take a breath and remember the “Reason for the Season.” For a few minutes let’s shift gears from buy, buy, buy... to give, give, give...
A few years ago, the FBC Seabrook Sanctuary Choir led worship with a “Joyful” Christmas Cantata. This collection of music beautifully celebrates God’s gift of salvation through His Son. Every song touches my heart, but one piece stands out from the rest — One King.
In some form or another, we’ve heard the ancient account of the Magi. The traditional story tells of three eastern kings who traveled from afar to worship the King of Kings. The song, “One King” helps us to fix our eyes on the gift of the one, true King.
One king held the frankincense – a valuable, precious gift of incense that represents worship and priesthood.
One king held the myrrh – a valuable, precious gift of anointing oil that fore-shadows sacrificial death.
One king held the purest gold – a valuable, precious gift that honors the King of Kings.
And One King held the hope of the world – a valuable, precious Gift that proves God’s love for a fallen world.
Amid the holiday hustle-bustle, take a few minutes to reflect upon the timeless gift of God’s Son.
~ As the flicker of vibrant Christmas lights elevates your mood allow the “Light of the World” to illuminate your heart.
~ As you purchase the gifts on your list, remember that God’s gift of salvation is free.
~ As you wrap your gifts with festive paper, ribbons, and bows, celebrate the Holy Child who was wrapped in swaddling clothes.
~ As you exchange gifts with those you love, be grateful that Jesus exchanged his life to redeem us from our sin.
Yes, this is Christmas… God’s undeserved mercy and grace is given freely to all who believe. It’s the perfect gift that keeps on giving, and giving, and giving…
“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:8-10 NLT)
Before we know it, Christmas 2021 will be history. Many will descend upon the stores to return unwanted gifts and marketers will tempt us with half-price sales. Even in this, we can give thanks… No need to return God’s gift of salvation; however, re-gifting is mandatory.
Remember this… you are loved, and you are always in my prayers.
In Christ, Cheryl
(This article was edited for December 2021. It was originally published in 2019)
One King by Point of Grace