I feel sorry for countries where Christmas isn’t celebrated.  I’m even more sorrowful for those who have never heard about Jesus.

  There are those in America who would try to eliminate every trace of anything that relates to God.  Stop and think a minute.  Would you want to live in that kind of environment?  A godless country has no hope for the abundant life that Jesus brings.  I have never known a happy non-believer.  Misery seems to be their fate.

            Those who choose not to celebrate the birth of our Lord have that right in a free society.  That freedom also gives me a right to say the “Pledge of Allegiance, under God, see a Nativity scene in a public square, The Ten Commandments posted in a public place, or pray before any public activity” that our heroes of the Constitution declared.  They can hardly put a stadium full of praying people in jail!

            The very ones who object to Christmas in public places smear Halloween symbols all over the place.  Why? Because Christmas is a celebration of the One who gives life.

            As for calling Christmas a “Winter Holiday,” go ahead, but it will never work.  Christmas is in the heart.  For those who love the Lord, the celebration remains. However, hostility raises its ugly head about Christmas.  Animosity is stirred up.

            No one can take Christmas away from the believer.  Several years ago, I heard a true story about a small town.  Someone had erected a cross on the public square.  The word about it spread and someone who didn’t even live in the town objected.  As a result the cross was removed.  The next day every house in that town of several hundred people had a cross on the top of their houses.  They had Christmas in their hearts.

            If Jesus were taken out of Christmas, there would be no point in celebrating anything!  Without Jesus, there is no purpose in life.  There is only emptiness, loneliness and frustration.

            Can you show me something better than forgiving others their trespasses?  Even physicians agree that unforgiveness is poison to the physical body, causing illness.

            Please show me something better than peace of mind and soul.  “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”  (Matthew 11:28).

            I want to celebrate the birthday of the One who gives hope to a hurting world. Christmas is a time of love, joy and family.  It’s a time to celebrate the greatest human event of all time.  No other event has affected history as much as this man called Jesus.  No other religion offers hope.  None other brings peace like the “Prince of Peace.”  None other wants the highest good for its converts.  And certainly no other religion gives life abundantly here and an eternal home in the hereafter.

            Christmas cannot be taken away from me.  It’s part of me.  It’s inside of me.

I’ll watch “It’s A Wonderful Life” again.  I’ll shed some tears.  I’ll realize what truly is important in life and not take things for granted.

            Two thousand years have come and gone but the birth of the Christ Child is in every believer’s heart.  “For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord”  (Luke 2:11).

            It is the hope of the ages, the reason for living and the faith for overcoming.

            May this Christmas bring you warmth and love and joy.  May it bring a time of reflection of what Christmas truly is and what it really means.