If love were sold from a Sears catalog at $19.95 we would buy it and give it to our friends for Christmas and order up the large economy pack to parcel out to the neighbour's kids for their birthdays.
But alas, love is free, and anything we can't gift wrap is surely not worth giving.
And if love were packaged in a neat form, would we even recognize it? Or would we hang it up to die?
Shortly after 5:00pm on Monday June 21, 1982, all London was aroused to great excitement by the latest news report. It was being announced that Prince Charles and Princess Diana had just become the proud and happy parents of a bouncing baby boy.
The crowds that had gathered outside Buckingham Palace went wild with joy. Some of the people laughed and some of them cried. Union Jacks were unfurled and spontaneously they burst into the singing of "Land of Hope and Glory" and other patriotic songs. Soon the entire city was filled with laughter and shouting and many settled down to an all night party to celebrate. A prince was born!
How different was the world's reception of Heaven's Royal Child on the first Christmas Day. The little town of Bethlehem made no demonstration of welcome. God's Son was offered a stable. The city swarmed with travelers from all over the land, but He was unknown to them.
The birth of Jesus is not simply an interesting fact of history. The announcement of His birth by the angel sent from the Palace of Heaven contained a personal message -- not only for the Shepherds -- but for all of mankind. "Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10, 11). Such a message demands a personal response. Have you received Christ as your Saviour?
"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift" (II Corinthians 9:15).
You are very welcome to join us for our Christmas services.
Sincerely,
Pastor John Giesbrecht
