"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