Wednesday, December 21, 2011

IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR

Or so the popular Andy Williams song goes. The lyrics talk about the joys of shopping (although did you know that online shopping has increased by over 17% just this year?) I, on the other hand, do love to be in the mall one day, just to capture all those special Christmas joys - huge crowds, even "huger" lines at the cashiers, rude customers, even "ruder" sales people, being cut off or followed to my parking space in the lot by at least 5 people wanting my spot, etc., etc. You know - all of the things that spell Christmas for so many people at this time of year.

But concentrate on the words - "it's the most WONDERFUL time of the year. It's the time when the WONDER of God's love for me as a sinner, thinking I was basically a "good" person, shot through all of my defenses and left me as I was - fallen, cut off from God, living a lie and thinking that all the good things I was doing were going to be enough to cover my pathetic state when I came to stand before a righteous God trying to "explain" why I had rejected the most WONDERFUL gift of all.

Look at what the Bible says in Isaiah 9:6, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called WONDERFUL. . ." There's that word again - "wonderful." Not just a description of the season we are in, but the very name of Christ Himself, Wonderful.

So as you do whatever it is you do at this time of year to ready yourself for the birth of our WONDERFUL Saviour and Lord, remember the words to the song, "It's the most wonderful time of the year," because Jesus Christ IS Wonderful and it is He who brings the season of Wonder to us, not only at Christmas but every day of our lives.

Lynn Randall

Lynn Randall is the Director of Human Resources at America's KESWICK. She is active in her church and is a gifted planner and organizer. She has a real heart for people as evidenced by her care, concern and practical encouragement.

DIGGING DEEPER
James 5:16b The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working (ESV). The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (NKJV). The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (NIV). The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working] (Amplified).

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