While we know that Christmas is not to be celebrated as a religious holiday, there is still an important component in the word “Christmas” that we need to consider. It’s indeed sad that there are many “politically correct” entities in our country who want to take “Christ” out of the word Christmas and replace it with the word “holidays” so as not to “offend” anyone. In fact, in most advertisements we see on television, the word Christmas is no longer heard.
Similarly, in first century society, Christ was very “offensive” as well. So much so, that He was crucified on a cross, for crimes He was not guilty of (cf. Matthew 27:11-25; Mark 15:1-15; Luke 23:13-26; John 18:28-40; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:21-22; 1 John 3:4-5).
In today’s society, Christ is still very much “offensive” to folks who have no regard for Him, or the inspired words about Him as recorded in the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16).
It’s interesting to note that the word “mas” in Christmas means “more” in Spanish, and there’s no question that because of rampant immorality in our society, we need “more” of Christ and His teachings now than ever before.
Beloved, this Christmas, we don’t need “more” holidays, or presents under the tree, we need “more” of Christ in our lives and “less” of self (Gal. 2:20; Matthew 16:24). Only by putting “more” of Christ and His teachings in our lives, will our society and world become a better place in which to live, and it all begins with “me.”
Only by putting “more” of Christ in our lives, will we experience true “peace on earth, good will toward men” in the upcoming New Year (Luke 2:14).
—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets
Similarly, in first century society, Christ was very “offensive” as well. So much so, that He was crucified on a cross, for crimes He was not guilty of (cf. Matthew 27:11-25; Mark 15:1-15; Luke 23:13-26; John 18:28-40; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:21-22; 1 John 3:4-5).
In today’s society, Christ is still very much “offensive” to folks who have no regard for Him, or the inspired words about Him as recorded in the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16).
It’s interesting to note that the word “mas” in Christmas means “more” in Spanish, and there’s no question that because of rampant immorality in our society, we need “more” of Christ and His teachings now than ever before.Beloved, this Christmas, we don’t need “more” holidays, or presents under the tree, we need “more” of Christ in our lives and “less” of self (Gal. 2:20; Matthew 16:24). Only by putting “more” of Christ and His teachings in our lives, will our society and world become a better place in which to live, and it all begins with “me.”
Only by putting “more” of Christ in our lives, will we experience true “peace on earth, good will toward men” in the upcoming New Year (Luke 2:14).
—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets
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