I have to be honest with you: I love Christmas! I love the music, the decorations, the food and special times with friends and family. I love the way Christmas smells. And who can argue with a couple of cool presents under the tree with your name on it!? If you ask me, it’s not a bad way to observe Jesus’ birthday! However, if we are not careful, we can celebrate Christmas without celebrating Jesus as our Emmanuel, God with us. We can be so busy with the festivities that we miss the reason for the season and the purpose of it all.
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Mathew 1:23
If we stay mindful of this core precept behind the observance AND if we are willing to put that precept into practice, we can keep Jesus at the center of it all!
How many observe Christ’s birthday. How few, His precepts!
Benjamin Franklin
In that sense, Christmas is more than just another day. It’s an amazing day to revel in the wonderful mystery of Emmanuel, God with us. The fact is, God is with us. Let’s join together as The Fellowship Network all over the world in honoring Jesus and His birthday as our Emmanuel, Our God with us!!!
Merry Christmas from our house to yours,
Steve Holder,
President of The Fellowship Network