THE GIFT OF CHRISTMAS
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¡°For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and men should seek instruction from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts...Malachi 2:7.¡±??
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How wonderful is the gift of Christmas.?? It is ageless in beauty, couched in eternal truth, framed by the touch of God¡¯s love and sealed in the heart of those willing to believe.? The gift of Christmas has never lost it power to reach to the lowest depths or ascend the highest levels of society; if only people will believe.?? Yet, how will people believe in a society which lives as if God does not exist? How will they hear without voices of truth willing to stand boldly and proclaim the Christmas message??
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In the Old Testament, Ezra was one of the sons of Aaron and from a priestly line.?? His name signified ¡°helper¡±.? Ezra set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it.?? The word ¡°set¡± in this context implied being erect or standing perpendicular.?? The image is one of a fence post firmly fixed in the ground so it cannot be shaken by the forces of nature.?? Ezra¡¯s heart was driven by his emotions, intellect and will.?? He was firmly established in the faith and not tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine.??
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The Bible says, ¡°Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.¡± (2 Timothy 2:15)? The Bible exhorts us to set our mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. (Colossians 3:2)? The Scripture says this should be done ¡°not by way of eye service, as men pleasers, but as slaves of Christ doing the will of God from the heart.¡± (Ephesians 6:6) During this Christmas season, we are God¡¯s priests to stand against the forces trying to take Christ out of Christmas.?? We must be that voice and be that helper to preserve the greatest gift God has given to mankind.??
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This priceless gift of Christmas remains from season to season as the love that frees souls, changes hearts, saves marriages, reunites families, and gives hope to the hopeless.? When this gift is revealed to the heart, love springs eternal and cannot be separated or overcome by any known power on earth.??
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Share with others that the baby lying in a manger is the One who suffered and died on the Cross of Calvary for our sins.?? He alone conquered death as evidenced by his empty tomb and by over 500 witnesses among the brethren who saw Him after his resurrection.? ?He alone is the true source of life and peace given under heaven among men and by Him and no other can men be saved.??
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Now is the time.? Hearts are tender and open to The Hope behind the message of Christmas!?? The glorious opportunity is ours to go tell it on the mountains, over the hills and everywhere that Jesus Christ is born.?
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