Merry Christmas to All

Merry Christmas, everyone. I'm one of those who really does believe in Christmas. I believe in the whole thing. I believe that Jesus was the Son of God. I believe the birth of the world's savior was foretold by prophets of old. I believe Jesus was that savior. I believe God chose to come down and live as a man, in order to reach out to us. I believe Jesus was born of a virgin, the baby inside Mary being conceived by the Holy Spirit. I believe Joseph was a good man, who assumed that Mary had been unfaithful, but was told by God in a dream that she was pregnant due to a miracle. I believe Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem in order to register with the government. I believe the city was jammed with people due to the government-enforced registration, and they ended up sleeping in a stable, since it was the only place available for them. I believe while they were there Mary gave birth to a son, wrapped him up in strips of cloth, and laid him in a manger. I believe angels were so excited about the birth of the Savior they broke out into song. I believe there were shepherds in the fields nearby, who heard the singing, were amazed at what they saw, and ran into Bethlehem to see this incredible thing. I believe they saw the baby Jesus, understood He was the promised Savior, and worshipped a little baby. I believe that a bit later some wise men from the east came, because they too had been led to believe a Savior was coming, and they found Jesus, gave him gifts, and worshipped him as well. I believe King Herod was afraid of this baby because Herod was a politically-appointed king, but the baby was announced as having been "born King of the Jews." I believe Herod, who was thoroughly evil, had all the little boys in the region killed as a means of trying to stop the true King from coming. I believe that Joseph and Mary had been warned in a dream to flee the area, so the baby Jesus was saved. I believe there is abundant evidence of all these things, and that it doesn't take a huge amount of faith to believe in all of it. And I believe the Christmas season is one of joy, where we are reminded that there is a God, and He loves us, and He came down to earth to live among us. And that should lead us to rejoice.

Sure, there's plenty of bad stuff about Christmas. We can complain that it's too commercial, too focused on presents, too materialistic and not spiritual enough. But I don't really care about the commerciality, because I believe it all points to the truth that really matters: That Jesus was born and we need to remember and celebrate that. So I believe all those songs about having a White Christmas and a Holly Jolly Christmas and Walking in a Winter Wonderland are great fun, and can be enjoyed as much as any other Christmas song. I believe Christmas trees and Christmas ornaments and candles are part of the fun, part of the celebration of the newborn King.

And yes, I recognize there are bad things in this world. I believe in evil as well as good. People are fighting over land and skin color and religious technicalities. Too many of my fellow countrymen are out of work, cold, and hungry. In my own family we've had some very difficult circumstances just recently, and they make me wonder sometimes where God is in the turmoil. There is tragedy and sadness and sickness and hunger and despair in this world, and I hate that. But celebrating Christmas isn't a way to gloss over the world's problems, or to try and deny difficulty -- it's a way to announce that, in a world that is too often hurting and hateful, there is hope. The King of Kings has come. The Prince of Peace has arrived. He is the Wonderful Counselor, the Everlasting Father. I really believe that.

So, in the end, my belief trumps the behaviors of this world. I see the problems, but I continue to believe. I continue to have hope that God is here, and He really does care for us, and He wants to make things better. I believe in a God who loves us so much He came down to live as a man, offering us a reason for living, a pattern to follow, and a hope for the future. I believe in the message that is Christmas, and my prayer today is that, wherever you are and whatever circumstances you may be in, the Prince of Peace will grant you peace today. I believe there is hope for this world because God is a God of miracles, and He showed it through the circumstances of that first Christmas. I believe in Christmas. Merry Christmas, everyone.

Comments

[Anne Lang Bundy]

Dear Chip,

Thanks for your wonderful Christmas spirit, the same MacGregor spirit that carries a blade longer than the width of a hand. I pray that that spirit, in the strength of God's Spirit, will see clearly exactly where God is in the turmoil.

May you enjoy God's very richest blessings and absolute peace in 2009.

In Christ,
Anne

[Richard Mabry]

Chip,
Thank you for posting your beliefs about Christmas. I can identify with every one. Despite living in an era of of economic downturn, with terrorists all around, and wrong seeming to triumph daily over right, I believe that God is sovereign. I affirm my belief that his Son was virgin-born, lived, died, and was resurrected to save us. And I agree that we should celebrate His birth with mirth and joy.
Merry Christmas, and to echo Dickens' words, "God bless us. God bless us, every one."

[Carol L Daubenmire]

Thank you for clearly stating your beliefs regarding God and His wonderful involvement with mankind. If only all who exchanged gifts this season had a true sense of the greatest Gift of all.

May your relationship with God continue to positively direct your life and your gracious correspondence with your readership.

My best to you in 2009. Thanks again for all you do on this BLOG.

[Lynn Squire]

I love when Christians step up and share what they believe.

I believe too. I believe that Jesus came as a babe to die as a man for our sins that, if we choose to accept His gift of payment for our debt, we might be saved from our sins and given eternal life.

Merry Christmas! And in the New Year, may you grow deeper in your understanding of God's grace, mercy, and love, and may the joy and peace He brings be ever increased in your life.

[GIna Holmes]

That was nice, Chip. It warms my heart to hear any Christian say, "I'm not ashamed of the gospel of Christ." It especially warms my heart when it comes from a suspected heathen like yourself. ; )

Merry Christmas brother!

[sally apokedak]

Amen! Preach it, brother.

[Tiffany Colter]

"So, in the end, my belief trumps the behaviors of this world."

This is an awesome articulation of how we can hope in spite of whatever comes at us. I am sticking this to my cabinet with the other quotes and Bible verses I read every day.

Thanks for this post.

[Lynn Rush]

Amen. Thanks for this post. Merry Christmas!

[Kristi Holl]

Chip, thank you. I really appreciate your post. You really started my "back to work" morning off great!

Yes, truth always trumps "facts." Thank heavens for that!

Kristi Holl
Writer's First Aid blog

[Angie Farnworth]

Amen, Amen, Amen. Thank you so much for sharing the TRUTH day in and day out.

Now I have to get back to the Nerf gun war before my little boy steals all the ammo again!

[Judith Robl]

Chip, Thanks for the post.

"In my own family we've had some very difficult circumstances just recently, and they make me wonder sometimes where God is in the turmoil."

I can well identify with your statement above. My family has been through some of those times as well. God is there. You just have to look harder to see Him.

You and your family are in my prayers.
Grace and peace,
Judith Robl

[Nicole]

Amen.

[david fry]

Chip,

Thank you for unwrapping God's gift of good tidings for us. Unashamed and spot on.

No theological tape, no pharisaical paper, no bodacious bows or racial ribbons. Just plain truth wrapped in plain talk and making plain sense to mankind.

Wow! Good News indeed!!

Our family had a difficult year and this post just helps to put things in proper perspective. I'm going to read it to my family as a gentle reminder of the hope we have in the birth of our Saviour.

I'm with you brother, I BELIEVE!

Blessings to you Chip and thanks again for sharing ... the truth, and your industry wisdom via this blog,

david fry

[Keri Wyatt Kent]

Amen, chip! wonderful thoughts for Christmas and for all the time!
Blessings to you and your family this Christmas.
Keri

[Cindy Thomson]

I wish I had something dazzling to say, but all I can say is...Me too!

Christmas blessings to you and your blog readers!

[Pam Halter]

I believe, too, Chip!

[Janet]

Wonderful Christmas post. We had some grief over Christmas too, and it was thanks to our faith in a living God that we could all surmount it and still have a wonderful Christmas.

Of course, you realize that I intend to plagiarize this for my next year's post... ;o)

[kyle watson]

God is in control. Happy belated Merry Christmas and New Year. Chip and everyone.

[Lisa Harris]

While I enjoy all of your posts, this one really hit home. I live in a third world country and see so much despair and hopelessness everyday that sometimes it's hard for me not to ask myself where is God in all this turmoil.

Thanks for the amazing reminder that we DO have hope because of a God who sent His son to save us and give us that hope.

Merry Christmas!

[Brandt Dodson]

Having traveled throughout southeastern Africa and having visited such countries as Zimbabwe, Zaire, and Kenya among others, I've learned that God is often found in the turmoil.

Virtually no one that I met during my travels had much in the way of material goods. In fact, in most cases, their health was failing them too. Yet seldom did I see such faith and devotion to God.

The star of Christ shines as brightly now as it did over the Shepherd's field that night and wise men do indeed still follow him.

Thanks Chip.

[Cheryl]

Chip, I believe, too! I love it that all the Christmasy stuff we do boils down to the fact that we are indeed celebrating the birth of our Savior.

All the best in 09!

[Lauren Yarger]

Great post, Chip!

[Ane Mulligan]

This year with all its chaos, ended up being the most spiritual Christmas I remember. We worshipped deeper, prayed more and felt great hope. My pastor preached on Christmas Sunday that His Jesus' coming points to His second coming, and that I look forward to with great expectation!

I pray your New Year will be one of great expectation.

[Avily Jerome]

Merry Christmas!

Ok, yeah, I know I'm a week late. But just try to think of me as 51 weeks early!