"If There Were No Christmas"

 

“If There Were No Christmas….”

 

Have we ever thought of living in a world in which there was no Christmas? Likely some enterprising entrepreneurs would come up with something creative to separate us from our money but what would be celebrated? And what would be missing from our lives and the world as a whole? In 1998 Karen became grieved over what Christmas had become and put her thoughts into a song she called “If You Had Not Come”:

“If You had not come on that night long ago, where would this world be?

All men’s hearts would know a darkness throughout all eternity.

If You had not come we would have stayed in our despair;

If You had not come we’d have no one who really cared.

“If You had not come on that night long ago, there would be no peace.

All the sins of the whole world would reign, there’d be no release.

If You had not come to turn our darkness into light;

If You had not come to turn our blindness into sight….

If You had not come; If You had not come….

 

“But You did come! As was promised by the Father;

Yes, You did come! There could be no other;

Oh, You did come! Putting all of Heav’n aside—

Casting off Your splendor in exchange for being denied.

 

 

“Yes, You did come! Growing up to be our Sacrifice;

You did come! Paying my sin’s price;

Oh, You did come! Giving hope and love and joy—

I will always thank You, for You did come—You did come!”

As I reread these words God gave Karen a quarter century ago I thought and sorrowed over what our society has become with Christ excluded from virtually every area including the “holiday” that bears His Name. But He did come “…to seek and to save what was lost.” (Luke 19:10) which includes each of us because “…(our) iniquities have separated (us) from (our) God….” (Isaiah 59:2). The price for our sin has been paid, forgiveness is available to “…everyone who calls on the name of the Lord….” (Romans 10:13, emphasis added). Will you include yourself in this promise from God?

 

Grace, Blessings and Merry CHRISTmas!

Jim and Karen McMillan

"Six Christmas Questions"

 

“Six Christmas Questions”

 

I had a science teacher in eighth grade of whom I have less than fond memories even after 65+ years. (My brother was assigned to one of his classes three years later and his opinion echoes mine.) But tucked in among the things I didn’t appreciate about him was a positive thought that’s stuck with me: his drumming into his students the investigative questions of who, what, where, when, why and how. Keeping them in mind has helped me analyze and understand many issues over the years, including my study of Scripture.

As we enter another Christmas season many questions come to mind such as what to buy for whom, whether to travel or stay home, what will be served for dinner and, most importantly, how will it all be paid for? But these pale in comparison to how Jesus fits in (if He does at all)—after all, the day is called (dare I say it?) CHRISTmas!

Some months back I read the Christmas story in a book of devotional thoughts on the life of Christ. And God put the simple words of inquiry posed by my teacher of long ago into my mind surrounding His Son’s birth and its significance. So here are the six Christmas questions and the answers God gives in His Word:

*Who of Christmas? It’s all about the birth of Jesus, Whose name means Savior (“…{Mary} gave birth to a son, And {{Joseph} gave him the name Jesus.”—Matthew 1:25).

*What of Christmas? God took human form in Jesus while retaining His Deity (“The Word {i.e. Jesus} became flesh and lived for a while among us,”—John 1:14).

*Where of Christmas? The place of the Messiah’s birth was prophesied centuries before it took place (“But you, Bethlehem…Are not least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.”—Matthew 2:6, NKJV, quoting Micah 5:2).

*When of Christmas? Jesus came to earth at a time God had planned and prepared (“…When the time arrived that was set by God the Father, God sent His Son….”—Galatians 4:4, TM).

*Why of Christmas? Jesus came to bring God’s salvation to all (“…The Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.”—1 John 4:9).

*How of Christmas? Jesus was born in a way no one before or since has been (“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel—which means ‘God with us”.”—Matthew 1:23, taken from Isaiah 7:14, emphasis added).

Do your answers to these questions agree with God’s? If not whose have to change? But before answering remember Psalm 119:89: “Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.” (Emphasis added).

 

Grace, Blessings and Merry Christmas!

Jim McMillan

"Slippery Slopes"

 

“Slippery Slopes”

 

Our New Hampshire church’s elders were once discussing an important issue which called for a decision. We committed the matter to God in prayer and began weighing our options. One team member whose discernment and insight we greatly respected observed, “Let’s be careful we don’t find ourselves on a slippery slope!” This made the rest of us more aware of the potential impact of our action and guided us towards a consensus which benefitted and protected our Body in the spirit of 1 Peter 5:1-4.

The Oxford English Dictionary dates the origin of “slippery slope” as 1951 but some have traced its usage back to Cicero, a first century BC Roman statesman and philosopher, to describe what he saw as the beginning of the Empire’s decline. The term refers to a series of events that’s difficult to stop or control once it begins and often worsens an already troubling set of circumstances. Paul posed this question to a troubled church: “Don’t you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough?” (1 Corinthians 5:6). In a similar way, a small ill-advised action can lead to a great negative impact.

In 2 Chronicles 8 we read that even Solomon, despite all his God-given wisdom, found himself on a slippery slope. He’d finished building God’s temple, his palace and many cities and towns, making Israel the greatest nation of the era. But tucked into the middle of the account of his accomplishments was this: “Solomon brought Pharaoh’s daughter from the City of David to the palace he had built for her….” (Verse 11). One “small” step led to many others—“King Solomon…loved many foreign women besides Pharaoh’s daughter…He had seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray…(and) turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God….” (1 Kings 11:1-4). His downward slide is recorded in Ecclesiastes in which he tells of trying everything imaginable to find purpose but it eluded him until he came to this conclusion of what life is all about: “…Fear God and keep his commandments, because this applies to every person.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13, NASB, emphasis added). Heeding this counsel will keep us off the slippery slopes (maybe bobsled runs) of this journey we call life. So let’s watch out for that first sliding step and stop before it’s too late.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Ready for Change?"

 

“Ready for Change?”

 

In 2009 Karen and I moved from New Hampshire to South Carolina. God had been preparing us for this transition for several years so when the moving truck showed up we were ready for the next steps in our journey, but not for a couple of unexpected wrinkles. But with His help we got through them and settled into our new home for the next five years before heading to Florida where we now reside.

Relocating to a new area brings adjustments. In our case it included getting used to southern cultural trends and building new relationships (not to mention 100 degree summers). And as I entered health care chaplaincy after 41 years of pastoring I became the listener more than the speaker and found myself in the pew rather than the pulpit. As we’ve lived out Solomon’s wise words, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven….” (Ecclesiastes 3:1) we’ve seen God’s hand guiding and providing for us in ways we never expected—to Him go the glory and gratitude!

Sometimes God’s people face conditions calling for living differently from what we’ve been accustomed to, maybe for decades. Health, family, financial and other circumstances may necessitate leaving our comfort zone for uncharted territory. God’s prophet reminds us, “The Lord will guide you continually, watering your life when you are dry and keeping you healthy, too.” (Isaiah 58:11, NLT). Years ago I brought a message on change, stressing that it’s inevitable and intimidating but also inspiring as we give ourselves to God (“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”—Proverbs 3:6, NASB).

Churches and other ministries may also find themselves at a crossroads due to internal and external challenges. An overlooked account in 1 Chronicles 23 describes changing conditions in Israel. David had established Jerusalem as the nation’s center of government and worship and the tabernacle, which for centuries had been carried from place to place by an assigned group of Levites, was now located in the capital which meant, in David’s words, “Since the Lord, the God of Israel, has granted rest to his people and has come to dwell in Jerusalem forever, the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the articles used in its service.” (1 Chronicles 23:25-26). But God had new plans for them: “…Their duty was to help the sons of Aaron in the service of the house of the Lord….” (1 Chronicles 23:28, NKJV). We see here that some ministries are for a season (our New Hampshire Associate Mike Conneally called this a “shelf life”) so leadership must be ready and willing to step out in faith to meet the needs of those they’re called to serve and “…be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.” (2 Timothy 2:21).

Are we/Am I ready for change?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan