“when He came
into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a
body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You
had no pleasure. Then I said,`Behold, I have come– In the volume of the book it
is written of Me– To do Your will, O God.'” (Hebrews 10:5-7 NKJ)
into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a
body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You
had no pleasure. Then I said,`Behold, I have come– In the volume of the book it
is written of Me– To do Your will, O God.'” (Hebrews 10:5-7 NKJ)
What makes for an
effective Christmas? Is there such a thing as effectiveness in Christmas?
Whatever I may think of these questions, they involve the concept of evaluation
and change. As life goes on, I know that various personal issues must be
evaluated.
effective Christmas? Is there such a thing as effectiveness in Christmas?
Whatever I may think of these questions, they involve the concept of evaluation
and change. As life goes on, I know that various personal issues must be
evaluated.
Health must be
evaluated. Investments must be evaluated. The whole gamut of retirement
considerations must be evaluated. In fact, every area of life must be carefully
analyzed and evaluated for its effectiveness in my life. And if my evaluation
is incomplete, then problems may arise later.
evaluated. Investments must be evaluated. The whole gamut of retirement
considerations must be evaluated. In fact, every area of life must be carefully
analyzed and evaluated for its effectiveness in my life. And if my evaluation
is incomplete, then problems may arise later.
A complete
evaluation would consider cutting-edge technologies, new breakthroughs, and an
updated knowledge base. And of course, the idea of updating faith-based
practices is no mere attempt to be relative. Instead, I evaluate to see whether
my faith practices continue to be spiritually effective.
evaluation would consider cutting-edge technologies, new breakthroughs, and an
updated knowledge base. And of course, the idea of updating faith-based
practices is no mere attempt to be relative. Instead, I evaluate to see whether
my faith practices continue to be spiritually effective.
This is what God
did. He evaluated his “old” plan for mankind, which was neither
totally effective nor truly acceptable, improving it to the most effective and
acceptable one possible. Animal sacrifices and physical offerings had served
his purpose, but the time came when they were no longer effective.
did. He evaluated his “old” plan for mankind, which was neither
totally effective nor truly acceptable, improving it to the most effective and
acceptable one possible. Animal sacrifices and physical offerings had served
his purpose, but the time came when they were no longer effective.
But effectiveness
doesn’t replace all the “old” with everything “new.” Some
elements are timeless and eternally effective, so they are kept as essential to
the effective functioning of the updated version. For God, ritual and ceremony
were no longer valid but faith, morality, and holiness continued to be
effective in his plan.
doesn’t replace all the “old” with everything “new.” Some
elements are timeless and eternally effective, so they are kept as essential to
the effective functioning of the updated version. For God, ritual and ceremony
were no longer valid but faith, morality, and holiness continued to be
effective in his plan.
God created
Christmas to introduce his new and improved plan of ‘peace on earth and
goodwill toward mankind.’ He prepared himself a body and laid it in a manger
somewhere in first century Bethlehem of Judea. And from there the rest of the
story came to life.
Christmas to introduce his new and improved plan of ‘peace on earth and
goodwill toward mankind.’ He prepared himself a body and laid it in a manger
somewhere in first century Bethlehem of Judea. And from there the rest of the
story came to life.
Christmas is a good
time to evaluate my faith journey and relationship with ‘the Savior, who is
Christ the Lord.’ He made the only sacrifice that will ever be effective for
the salvation of mankind. I only need to do what the shepherds and wise men
did: come and ‘see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made
known to us’ (Luke 2:15 NKJ).
time to evaluate my faith journey and relationship with ‘the Savior, who is
Christ the Lord.’ He made the only sacrifice that will ever be effective for
the salvation of mankind. I only need to do what the shepherds and wise men
did: come and ‘see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made
known to us’ (Luke 2:15 NKJ).
Dear Father, thank
you for the birth, life, death and resurrection of our Savior, Christ the Lord.
Empower me to daily evaluate my faith practices with fear and trembling. I pray
this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
you for the birth, life, death and resurrection of our Savior, Christ the Lord.
Empower me to daily evaluate my faith practices with fear and trembling. I pray
this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Have an effective
Christmas this year . . . receive Christ as Savior and Lord,
Christmas this year . . . receive Christ as Savior and Lord,