Epistle for December 7, 2007
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E-pistle
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Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation December 7, 2007
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CHRISTMAS IS A TIME
Luke 2:18-20
For children, Christmas is a time of IMAGINATION . . . of sugar-plum fairies and flying
reindeer . . . of a miraculous star and a baby in a manger. For teenagers, Christmas is a time of
ANTICIPATION . . . of holiday parties and laughing friends . . . of music and mistletoe kisses. For
adults, Christmas is a time of CELEBRATION . . . of festive decorations and children and
grandchildren around a bountiful table . . . of already-guessed gifts and family traditions. For
seniors, Christmas is a time of RECOLLECTION . . . of long-ago sleigh rides and caroling parties
. . . of childhood dreams and well-remembered loved-ones.
For believers of all ages, Christmas is a time of SALVATION . . . "You shall call His name
Jesus, for He will SAVE His people from their sins," Matthew 1:21 . . . "There is born to you this day
in the city of David a SAVIOR, who is Christ the Lord," Luke 2:11.
Later in his gospel, Dr. Luke mentions four things which believers should do at Christmas
time:
I. CHRISTMAS IS A TIME TO MARVEL
"All those who heard it MARVELLED at those things which were told them by the
shepherds," Luke 2:18.
To marvel means to be astonished, to stand in awe. To exclaim, "This is astounding!" This
newborn baby is the God of Creation! This infant spoke the words and everything in this universe
came into being! Fantastic! Almighty God entered into human history on this planet as a totally
dependent child! Marvelous!
II. CHRISTMAS IS A TIME TO TREASURE
"But Mary TREASURED (kept) all these things," Luke 2:19.
At this season of the year, we need to measure the worth, the value of God's gift to us.
And as we think about the Lord of Glory leaving the immeasurable wealth of heaven to come to this
impoverished earth, surely we will cherish - - hold dear; treat tenderly - - the newborn King. This
truth (Immanuel: God is with us) needs to become for us a treasured keepsake, a family heirloom.
III. CHRISTMAS IS A TIME TO PONDER
"Mary . . . PONDERED them in her heart," Luke 2:19.
To ponder means to weigh in mind, to consider attentively, to meditate upon. As Simeon
told Mary later in this chapter, her baby boy was born to suffer and die. God's salvation - - causing
unbelievers to fall and believers to rise - - involves death (a sword). No doubt Mary pondered about
her son's prophesied vicarious death and hinted-at resurrection. We, also, need to pause for a few
minutes daily to ponder the long term meaning of this Advent Season.
IV. CHRISTMAS IS ATIME TO WORSHIP
"Then the shepherds returned, GLORIFYING AND PRAISING GOD for all the things
that they had heard and seen, as it was told them," Luke 2:20.
Out of the night now shepherds appearing;
Getting permission. Jesus to hold;
Praising their God with joy and thanksgiving;
Spreading the message angels had told.
More great excitement! Visitors royal:
Men from the East who followed a star:
Before the baby, they fall and worship;
Giving Him presents brought from afar.
In December 1994, I wrote the poem "Come as a Child" which is quoted in part above. That
month I also wrote the following carol which can be sung to the tune REGENT SQUARE (Angels
from the Realms of Glory). It focuses on CHRISTMAS AS A TIME TO MARVEL, TREASURE,
PONDER,AND WORSHIP.
CHRISTMAS IS A TIME
Christmas is a time to marvel,
Be astonished, stand in awe;
For the God of all creation
Lies a babe upon the straw.
Time to marvel, time to marvel,
Marvel at the newborn King.
Christmas is a time to treasure,
Cherish, value, measure worth;
Think about the Lord of Glory
Leaving all to come to earth.
Time to treasure, time to treasure,
Treasure Christ the newborn King.
Christmas is a time to ponder,
Weigh in mind and meditate;
Jesus came to die as Savior,
Rose to open heaven's gate.
Time to ponder, time to ponder,
Ponder Christ the newborn King.
Christmas is a time to worship;
Shepherds praised His holy name;
Wise men knelt and paid Him homage;
We today shall do the same.
Time to worship, time to worship,
Worship Christ the newborn King.
So, this Christmas, I urge each one of us to:
Come as a child, let's visit the manger;
God of creation, came as a boy;
Take time to WONDER, take time to TREASURE,
Take time to PONDER, WORSHIP with joy!
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