He Has Raised Up a Horn of Salvation

In a world enhanced by technology, communication, and prosperity, it's easy to believe that mankind is somehow better off now than it was 2,000 years ago. And while innovation has made life more comfortable, even it can offer no cure for the deepest of all human agonies--the bondage of sin.

These days, we often forget that the world wasn't saved by global diplomacy or self-sufficiency. It took a willing spirit. A primitive manger. And broken men who recognize that salvation lies not within themselves but with the baby born that quiet night to a dark and weary world.

Yet God's message of hope and redemption was just as threatening to rulers then as it is today. Like so many across the globe, our Chinese brothers and sisters are still paying a costly price for their government's ancient jealousy. This year, 70 of their bravest pastors will spend Christmas in prison because they dared to put their trust not in the government but in the Prince of Peace. They were arrested for believing that God is moving and working in their world, just as He was centuries ago, to fulfill the prophecies begun on Christmas day.

For their families and friends, the season is a time of holy and sacred reverence, celebrated in secret and observed in underground gatherings. Some will travel through dangerous countryside, risking their own capture, to commemorate their ultimate freedom through Christ. There they exchange the religious tumult of these times for the peace and tranquility of the manger. There they reflect on Bethlehem's truth that while tyranny may govern their lives, only God can govern men's hearts. And it is there, in this atmosphere of persecution and despair, that the Messiah's light shines its brightest--promising deliverance to all who believe. May they exult like Zachariah, who said:

"Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David... to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days." (Luke 1:68,74)

At Christmas, when we are so distracted by Christ's flashy competition, America has much to learn from the persecuted church. I pray that this year we humbly embrace the simplicity of the season and rejoice in the saving Love reborn each day.

From everyone at FRC, we wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The Family Research Council's purpose is to "Defend Family, Faith and Freedom."The article above comes from Tony Perkins' "Washington Update" December 20, 2007

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Thoughts from OMD:

With out the Christ, Jesus, there would be NO Christmas. This could be just another day or maybe some sort of worship to a false or even non-existant god. Being it is man's penchant to have something or someone to worship, either by free will or forcibly e.g. Caesar, who knows what we would be doing for December 25th each year.

If you will ponder it for just a moment or 2... Each of us, nor anyone that has lived or will live after us, had no choice in the matter of our arrival here on Earth. Isn't it amazing to realize that only 1 (one) person arrived on Earth as a voluntary act? And, that one person was born of a virgin then went on to fulfill all the prophecies of the Old Testament with regard to the Messiah, the Christ, the Savior. He walked among us. He was with us "Emmanuel" was his name, God with us. He found 12 to teach and carry His message to the world.

Jesus tells us that this world will be full of trials and tribulations and that the world will hate those that follow Him simply because the world first hated Him. Isn't it evident around the world today that the mere mention of Jesus causes the world to spasm?

In many countries people are jailed and martyred. In the "free world" His name is under constant attack. It has become offensive to even say Merry Christmas. It's ironic that even those who complain and file law suits to push Christianity out of the public square will take the day off and celebrate Christmas, ahhh... I mean holiday. I wonder what holiday it is that they celebrate?

Jesus' message and his life, death & resurrection gives us the opportunity to become children of God. Yes! Children of God! Imagine... we can be a kings kid. Jesus chose to give his life for us. Now we can choose to live for Him.

Hark the Herald Angels Sing Glory To The New Born King. Peace On Earth And Mercy Mild GOD and SINNER Reconciled.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

A Fellow Christian Sojourner and One More Disciple of the Christ, Jesus

OMD