Christianity is the only world religion that has its major doctrines obscured by imaginary creatures.  At His birth we are given a magical elf and toys. We spend our time running to stores to get photos taken with this gentleman  and then tell our kids he know when they are good and bad, and that he has power to circle the globe in a 24 hr period. A child dreams at night of all the toys he will receive and listens for the sound of hoofs on the roof. But then we are sure to sprinkle just enough Jesus in there so we dont forget the reason for the season. But with all of this we blur the reality of the virgin birth and its necessity.

At the resurrection we are given a rabbit, chocolate and dyed eggs. What these have all in common has never been properly explained to me. But this is the focus of our celebration and to make matters worse we attache a pagan name to it and call it Easter. Again the reality of a living Saviour who rose from the grave is obscured.

These two creatures are designed to help keep the eyes off the glory and salvation that is found in Christ. he walks hand in hand with these mythical beings and we wrap it up in a package and call it the magic of childhood. Is is no wonder that most children will not serve a living God when they reach the teen years. Especially when lied to about magical creatures. But why is it that no other religion has such foolishness? Why is there no such beings in any Jewish holiday? Why no eggs or elf’s in the Muslim celebrations? Why do the Hindus not have a side show to their main event?

The reality is there is an enemy hard at work to keep the focus on make believe than on what is most important. Men need to believe in a Virgin Born Saviour for without it the resurrection is of little value. Then just as we have the Virgin Birth down we must have a risen Saviour. Or else he is nothing more than a martyr. When it comes to the other faiths he has no worries because they dont provide eternal life, and they are keeping men blinded to the truth that is in Christ.  Christian parents have bought into the lie that this is part of childhood and we dont want them to miss this time in their life. After all they will grow up soon and never have the chance to believe such marvelous tales again. trust me they will be fine in fact their focus will have been where the Lord wanted it in the first place, on Him. Yes Virginia there is a Satan and he wants to keep you blinded to a real and living God.

I recently came across this in my reading time

The only thing recognized in matters of morals, the only standard for the definition and measure of God and things divine will be personal experience. Those who attempt to bind the conscience, direct the soul, and set before it a definite concept of God and a fixed line of conduct in respect to Him and to one another will be looked upon, not only as narrow bigots, but as intolerable tyrants, as criminal hinderers to all true knowledge. The new generation is intoxicated with the rallying cry of ‘self-expression.’

The new generation is letting itself go. If it has any standard, it is the standard of exalted personalism and self-pleasing at any cost to old law and old custom, or old manners . . . With the weakening down of law and self-restraint, there is the over-leaping race for material pleasures.

This is the inspiration of the ‘get rich quick’ movement; get money that may be spent on pleasure and more pleasure . . . No one has time; all are pressed, life is too short to stop and think . . . ‘On with the song’ and ‘on with the dance,’ these are the cries, and the music goes faster and more furiously. The very sounds of the music are barbaric, appealing to the animal, to the brute sense within, stirring the blood, adding fuel to the fire till passion is at white heat . . .

‘The life that now is’ forms the horizon of the vast army of young men and women coming out of school and college. All their instruction, all their equipment is for this world . . . Let modernism continue its work of near pantheism, its agnostic attitude concerning the soul and the other side of death, and in a few hurrying years the moral and spiritual ruin of the coming generation cannot be imagined.

To raise a cry against this as ‘divisive,’, to appeal to compromise for the sake of ‘brotherhood’ and ‘Christian charity’ and to talk about love being more important in the church than correctness of doctrine, is emotional weakness and fallacious folly . . .

The word ‘toleration’ must be cut out of the church vocabulary. You cannot find it in the Bible. It is not a nice word. It is not to be found in good company. It is a word much used by middle-of-the-road men. It has in it, no matter how much dissimulated, the crawling, creeping movement of surrender . . . Why should the Church tolerate men who no longer tolerate the Bible as God gave it to us?”

This is a quote from I. M. Haldeman, in “Why I Am Opposed To Modernism”, 1929 

Sad to say its is true today just as is was back then. The only difference is back then the church yelled Amen today they holler a cry phrases like “you have no compassion”  ”you are not Christ like” “you are divisive” and on and on they go. True biblical Christianity is one of no compromise and one of proclaiming Gods Word. The Apostle Paul did not concern himself with what others thought of him or the message he gave. Yet the church today is very concerned about what impression it leaves upon a blind and lost world. This is not to say we should act ignorant or unkind but the preacher has a divine obligation. It is his sacred duty to stand between the living and the dead and warn of judgment to come. Where in scripture is said they we must concern ourselves with how men feel? I do not find Jeremiah absorbed in the politically correct culture of his day. I do not see Ezekiel worried that some Israelite will get offended if he says the truth. These men and may others like them concerned themselves with one thing, and that was what was God feeling. Truth must be explained and it can be done in a variety of ways all without compromise. When the church surrenders and begins to give the world the message it wants instead of what it needs there will be serious consequences. We as Christian look at the world and we see it all upside down. What was once wrong is now right and if a man speaks out he is shouted down. The phrase today is “Hate speech” we have freedom of speech as long as its not hate speech. Is this insane and who is it that determines hate speech? Remember it is usually the multitude that determines this and history has proven that the results are dangerous. I think of the crowd at Ephesus who shouted for hours and we not tolerate an opposing opinion. Today it is found most notably in the Muslim culture where they burn and kill and will not allow a dissenting opinion. With all of this the Born Again Christian must not compromise but continue in the path that has been laid. This path is one of blood the blood of martyrs. Do we think ourselves better that those who paid the price before us? Do we think that somehow its a glorious thing for others to lay down their life, but us……well the cost to high?

These are exciting times to serve the living God and we must not waver. Hebrews says we are surrounded with a great cloud of witnesses, and if that’s the case then lets press on. Press on and fight the fight that has been waged for centuries, and let us not lower the blood stained banner but exalt the truth.

Here is a poem I read many years ago its simply called “The Devil” I have read it from time to time as  I would preach on this subject.  The author is unknown but I feel it has hit the nail on the head.

Men don’t believe in a devil now, as their fathers used to do.
They’ve opened the door to the broadest creed to let his majesty thru.
There isn’t a print of his cloven feet or a fiery dart from his bow
To be found on earth or anywhere, for the world has voted it so.
But who is mixing the fatal draught that kills both heart and brain,
And loads the earth each passing year with ten hundred thousand slain?
Who blights the bloom of the land today with the fiery breath of hell?
If the devil isn’t or never was—won’t somebody please rise and tell?
Who dogs the steps of the toiling saint and digs the pits for his feet?
Who sows the tares in the field of time when God is sowing pure wheat.
But the devil is voted just not to be—and of course the thing is true—
But who is doing the kind of work the devil is supposed to do?
Won’t somebody step to the front right now—and immediately begin to show—
How the frauds and the crimes of the day spring up—for surely we want to know!
The devil was fairly voted out—and of course the devil’s gone—
But simply fold would like to know, who carries his business on?

The man who says there is no Devil is a man who never tried to live right

In the summer of 1805, a number of Indian chiefs and warriors met in council at Buffalo Creek, New York to hear a presentation of the Christian message by a Mr. Cram from the Boston Missionary Society. After the sermon, a response was given by Red Jacket, one of the leading chiefs. Among other things, the chief said:

“Brother, you say that there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agree, as you can all read the Book?

“Brother, we are told that you have been preaching to the white people in this place. These people are our neighbors. We are acquainted with them. We will wait a little while and see what effect your preaching has upon them. If we find it does them good, makes them honest and less disposed to cheat Indians, we will then consider again of what you have said.”
Red Jacket never became a Christian.

The following was written by a Godly man in our church. After reading his post on Facebook I asked him if I could share it on my blog site.

Death Notice  

Sister Old Time Prayer Meeting died recently at the First Neglected Church on Wordly Avenue. Born many years ago in the midst of great revivals, she was a strong healthy child, fed largely on testimony and scriptural holiness, soon growing into world-wide prominence, and was one of the most influential members of the famous Church family. She was a great influence for good, gathering the multitude of mankind to her bosom to hear the story of HIM who wore the seamless garment; a story of never failing interest to all.

For the past several years Sister Prayer Meeting has been failing in health, gradually wasting away until rendered helpless by stiffness of knees, coldness of heart, inactivity, and weakness of purpose and will power. At the last she was but a shadow of her former self. Her last whispered words were inquiries concerning the strange absence of her loved ones, now absent from her presence, busy in the marts of trade and places of worldly amusements. Her older brother, Mr. Sunday School, has been in very bad health for years,and cousin Mr. Soul Winning is very seldom seen in public anymore. 

Experts, including Dr. Works, Dr. Re-Form, and Dr. Ecumenical , disagreed as to the cause of her illness, administering large doses or organization, socials, contests, drives and religious education, praise and worship and a little bit of “purpose driven” thrown in but to no avail. Dr H. Calvinist was also contacted and rendered his opinion and said it was predestined that she die this way. A post mortem showed a deficiency of spiritual food coupled with lack of fasting, faith and change of heart. Shameless desertion and non-support were contributing causes. Only a few were present at her death, sobbing over memories of her past beauty and power. Carefully selected pallbearers were urged to tenderly bear her remains away but failed appear.

There were no flowers. Her favorite hymns, “Amazing Grace”, and “Rock of Ages” were not sung. Miss Ima Modern rendered “Beautiful Isle of Somewhere”, but none had any idea where this fancied isle might be and nobody could tell any one how to get there. The body rests in the beautiful cemetery of Bygone Glories, awaiting the summons from above which shall bring her, with her blood-washed garments, into the presence of the GOD of Glory, spotless, blameless and full of glory. In honor of her going, the church doors will be closed on Wednesday evenings, save on the third Wednesday of each month, when the Ladies Pink Lemonade Society serves refresments to the members of the Men’s Wii team.

The above story would be hilarious were it not so true. The American landscape is dotted with closed and rotting churches. They once thrived and were places where the Gospel was preached, but that all changed for some reason. Maybe we have become too blessed and with all our “things” we really don’t need God anymore. After all who wants to go and gather with people at the church house when there is so much “stuff” to enjoy.

The average Christian cannot give a legitimate excuse for why they are not in church when its doors are open. Sure people get sick and people have to work but what it really comes down to is the heart. Today’s Christian does not love the Lord he loves self! He loves his own pleasure and feeds his own flesh. The crucified life is nice but not for us. death to self and love for the brethren are not what we want to hear. After all isn’t it about us!! Are we not suppose to be the center of attention, and what is it that makes me happy. Getting dressed and going to church to mid week prayer meeting!?? where is that in the Bible?? I guess you can find it right there where the Church was praying for Peter to get out of jail in Acts 12:5.

America is sick and the blame rests not on the politicians, nope not them. A politician is a weak and cowardly thing (for the most part) they will do what the people want. Christians have long since forsaken Biblical principals and so the country is going the way of other great nations. America is a (use to be nation) We once had great churches and great morals and now we have become a land where we are biblically illiterate. The fact the Mormon is close to getting in the White House is proof of that. We put our faith in men and what they can do for us. We want hope and change and many a Born again Christian voted for the current President. How can anyone who knows the Bible and what God says vote for such a man! The answer… we are led my emotions and feelings and not the Word of God. Simply because we do not know the Word of God. Because we are never in church to hear the Word of God.

Church is too boring! We sing those old songs! The preacher is not teaching what I want to hear! I dont want to drag the kids out into the cold! I dont have a ride! I will lose my parking spot! I dont have money for gas! Prayer request time is annoying! This is just a small sample of some of the great excuses that the preacher will hear. Funny thing is though none of them will hold water when (and if) you see Jesus face to face.

I have driven across a good section of our once great country and through the years I see closed churches, church houses converted to everything from schools to dress shops and restaurants. (When was the last time you saw a closed Mosque) It always breaks my heart to see a boarded up church. One time we saw a closed church and my son said “why doesnt somebody go in there and just start preaching!” He was 5 years old when he uttered that. I quickly yelled amen….. with a lump in my throat. Why doesnt somebody go in there? The answer… not enough death to self. Whats my starting pay? What are my benefits? I may have to go without some things. Yes there are problems in the pews but we also have to look at the pulpit. Death to self preacher, death to self.

If the building is not closed or converted to some other entity it just as bad to one that has headed south. By that I mean one that has quit preaching and has become a mere entertainment center for the itchy ear believer. It would be better it it were selling lattes than leading men to hell with a social gospel. I know of one church bragged about its art display. WHO CARES!! People need to hear of Christ and his salvation! Not admiring the water colors and the contrast in the shading. Heaven help us.

If people dont go to church to hear the Gospel message when it is done right the preacher needs not change. The command was “In season out of season” and out of season seems to be the time we are in.

Now one reading this my think that this preacher is discouraged. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is a joy to serve the King of kings. I love my calling and am thankful to my Saviour who has called me into his fields to labor, but it is the coldness and deadness of the saints of God that disturbs me.

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
II Chronicles 7:14 

The Following story is not mine but borrowed. The author is unknown, and I trust it will help encourage your heart as it has done mine.

I remember a day one winter that stands out like a boulder in my life. The weather was unusually cold, our salary had not been regularly paid, and it did not most our needs when it was.

My husband was away much or the time, traveling from one district to another. Our boys were well, but my little Ruth was ailing, and at last none of us were decently clothed. I patched and re-patched, with spirits sinking to the lowest ebb. The water gave out in the well and the wind blew through the cracks in the floor.

The people in the parish were kind and generous too; but the settlement was new, and each family was struggling for itself. Little by little, at the time I needed it most my faith began to waiver. Early in life I was taught to take God at His word, and I thought my lesson was well learned. I had leaned upon the promises in dark times, until I knew as David did, “who was my fortress and my deliverer.” Now a daily prayer for forgiveness was all that I could offer. My husband’s coat was hardly thick enough for October, and he was often obliged to ride miles to attend some meeting or funeral. Many times our breakfast was Indian cake (corn bread) and a cup of tea without sugar.

Christmas was coming: the children always expected their presents. I remember the ice was thick and smooth and the boys were craning a pair of skates. Ruth, in some unaccountable way, had taken a fancy that the dolls I had made were no longer suitable; she wanted a nice large one, and insisted on praying for it.

I new it seemed impossible, but oh I wanted to give each child its present. It seemed as if God had deserted us, but I did not tell my husband all this. He worked so earnestly and heartily. I supposed him to be as hopeful as ever. I kept the sitting room cheerful with an open fire, and I tried to serve our scanty meals as invitingly as I could. The morning before Christmas James was called to see a sick man.

I put a piece of bread for his lunch – it was the best I could do. I wrapped my plaid shawl around his neck and then tried to whisper a promise as I often had, but the words died away upon my lips. I let him go without it.

That was a dark, hopeless day. I coaxed the children to bed early for I could not bear their talk when Ruth went to bed, I listened to her prayer. She asked for the last time most explicitly for her doll and for skates for her brothers. Her bright face looked so lively when she whispered to me, “you know I think they’ll be here early in the morning, mamma.” I sat down alone, and gave way to the bitterest tears.

Before long James returned, chilled and exhausted. He drew off his boots. The thin stockings slipped off with them, and his feet were red with cold. I wouldn’t treat a dog that way let alone a faithful servant,” I said. Then as I glanced up and saw the hard lines in his face, and the look of despair, it flashed across to me – James had let go too. I brought him a cup of tea, feeling sick and dizzy at the very thought. He took my hand and we sat for an hour without a word. I wanted to die and to meet God, and tell Him his promises were not true; my soul was so full of rebellious despair.

There came a sound of bells, a quick stop, and a loud knock at the door. James sprang up to open it. There stood Deacon White. “A box came by express just before dark, I brought around as soon as I could get away. Reckon it might be for Christmas. At any rate I said they shall have it tonight. Here is a turkey my wife asked me to fetch along, and these other things I believe belong to you.”

There was a basket of potatoes, and a bag of flour. Talking all the time he hurried in the box and then with a hearty good night he rode away. Still without speaking, James found a chisel and opened the box. He drew out first a red blanket, and then we saw that beneath it the box was full of clothing. It seemed at that moment as if Christ fastened upon me a look of reproach. James sat down and covered his face with his hands, “I can’t touch them.” He exclaimed, “I haven’t been true, just when God was trying me to see if I could hold out. Do you think I could not see how you were suffering?” I had no word of comfort to offer. I know now how to preach the awfulness of turning away from God.”

“James”, I said clinging to him, “don’t take it to heart like this. I am to blame. I ought to have helped you. We will ask him together to forgive us.”

“Wait a moment dear I can’t talk now,” He said. Then he went into another room. I knelt down, and my heart broke. In an instant all the darkness, all the stubbornness rolled away. Jesus came again and stood before me, with the loving word, “daughter!”, sweat promises of tenderness and joy of soul. I was so lost in praise and gratitude that I forgot anything else. I don’t know how long it was before James came back, but he too had found peace. “Now my dear wife,” he said, “let us thank God together,” and he then poured out words of praise, Bible words: for nothing else could express our thanksgiving.

It was 11 o’clock, the fire was low and there was the great box, and nothing touched but the warm blanket we needed. We piled on some fresh logs, lighted two candles, and began to examine our treasure. We drew out an overcoat. I made James put it on; just the right size, and I danced around him. Then there was a cloak, and he insisted in seeing me in it. My spirits always affected him, and we both laughed like foolish children.

There was a warm suit of clothes also and three pairs of woolen hose. There was a dress for me, yards of flannel, a pair of arctic overshoes for each of us. In mine was a slip of paper. I have it now and mean to hand it down to my children. It was Jacob’s blessing to Asher, “thy shoes shall be iron and brass and as the days so shall thy strength be.” In the gloves, evidently for James, the same dear hand had written, ” I the Lord thy God, will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not I will help thee.”

It was a wonderful box, and packed with thoughtful care. There was a suit of clothes for each of the boys, and a little red gown for Ruth. There were mittens, scarves and hoods. Down in the center of the box was another box. We opened it and there was a great wax doll. I burst into tears again.

James wept with for joy. It was too much. We then both exclaimed again. Close behind it came two pair of skates. There were books for us to read, some of them I had wished to see, stories for the children to read, aprons and underclothing, knots of ribbon, a gay little tidy, a lovely photograph, needles, buttons, thread and actually a muff, and an envelope containing a ten-dollar gold piece. At last we cried over everything we took up.

It was past midnight, and we were faint and exhausted even with happiness. I made a cup of tea and cut a fresh loaf of bread and James boiled some eggs. We drew up the table before the fire, how we enjoyed our supper! And then we sat talking over our life and how sure a help God always proved.

You should have seen the children the next morning, the boys raised a shout at the sight of their skates. Ruth caught up her doll and hugged it tightly without a word then she went to her room and knelt by her bed. When she came back, she whispered to me, “I knew they would be there, Mamma, but I wanted to thank God just the same. We went to the window and there were the boys out of the house already and skating on the ice with all their might.

My husband and I tried to return thanks to the church in the east that sent us the box and have tried to give thanks to God everyday since. Hard times have come again and again, but we have trusted Him, dreading nothing so much as a doubt of His protecting care. Over and over again we have proved that “they that seek the Lord shall not want anything.”

* Just as the Lord supplied the Savior so many years ago He supplies today.

* We have been fooled into thinking that we have to have more and more to be happy. When we have so much that we have trouble being happy with our bounty.

* Maybe this story will help all of us to be a little more content with the things we often take for granted

By John Stormer

For too many years, pastors and teachers have said, “Of course we don’t know when Christ was actually born – but the time of year is not really important.” Jehovah’s Witnesses and others have taught that Christmas was “invented” in the fourth or fifth centuries. The supposed goal was giving a “Christian” facade or influence to the wild pagan or Satanic holiday observances during the winter solstice (the shortest days of the year).

What’s the real story? Is there any real evidence that Jesus Christ  was born at Christmas? A careful examination of a number of seemingly unrelated Bible passages gives clear indication that the Lord Jesus was indeed born at Christmas time. Such study will give new emphasis to what Christ came to do. It will also provide a much deeper appreciation of all  that is hidden in the Word of God which can be discovered by those who prayerfully search the scriptures.

Every word in the Bible is there because God put it there. He has a purpose for every one of His words. Therefore, seemingly casual listing of periods of time, genealogical references, etc. have significance which can be discovered through prayerful study.

In Luke Chapter 1, the Bible records seemingly unimportant details about what a priest named Zacharias was doing when an angel announced to him that he and his wife were to have a child. The child was to be John the Baptist who would prepare the way for the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The Bible further records that the Lord Jesus was conceived in the sixth month after John the Baptist was conceived. Therefore, if the time of the conception of John the Baptist could be determined, the birth date of the Lord Jesus could be calculated.

The scriptures say : “There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course… ” Luke 1:5,8.

At this point Zacharias demonstrated his amazing faithfulness to his duties as a priest. Even though he had been given the wonderful news by the angel that he and Elisabeth would have a son, Zacharias stayed in the temple until the days of his course were completed.

“And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months…” Luke 1:23-24.

The passage then describes how an angel came to Mary to announce that she was to be the virgin mother of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus. The scripture says: “And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth. To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary…” Luke 1:26-27.

“And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah; and entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.” Luke 1:39-40

Contained within these quoted passages are scriptures which point to the exact time when Jesus was born. (Remember that God puts every word and every detail into the Bible exactly as He wants it and for a purpose.)

In Luke 1:5 and Luke 1:8, we are told that Zacharias was a priest of the course of Abia and that he fulfilled his priestly duties in the order of his course. To understand the importance of the course of Abia and its bearing on the date of John the Baptist’s conception, it is necessary to turn to 1Chronicles 24:1-10. This passage describes how a thousand years before Christ, King David established the courses for priestly service in the coming temple. Twenty-four courses were established and numbered by drawing lots – twelve courses for sanctuary service and twelve for the government of the house of God.

Members of each course would serve during a month starting with the Hebrew month of Nisan. (Because of the way the Hebrew calendar fluctuates, the month Nisan can start anytime between early March and early April.) The sons of Abijah (the Old Testament spelling for Abia) were in the eighth course. Priests of Abia like Zacharias would, therefore, have each ministered for some days during the eighth month which in some years because of the fluctuation in the Hebrew calendar started as early as the fifth day of our month of October. Zacharias would have returned home when his days of service were accomplished and John the Baptist could have been conceived sometime between October 15 and the end of the month.

After conception the scripture says that Elisabeth hid herself for five months. Then in the sixth month of her pregnancy (which, based on the above calculation, would have started about March 15 and continued until April 15) the angel announced to the Virgin Mary that the Lord Jesus would be conceived in her womb by the Holy Ghost. If this took place on or about April 1 a “normal” gestation period of 270 days would have then had the Lord Jesus due on or about December 25. How about that!

There are other scriptural and natural indicators that confirm that the Lord was born at Christmas time. In the account of His birth in Luke 2:8, we read: “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.”
My son-in-law, who has a degree in agriculture, after hearing the above presentation, told me, “Certainly, the Lord Jesus was born at Christmas. The only time shepherds spend the night in the fields with their sheep is during the time when the lambs are born. The ewes become ‘attractive’ to the rams in the month after June 21, the longest day of the year. The normal gestation period is five months so the ewes start lambing about mid-December.” He added: Isn’t it natural that the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world would be born when all the other lambs are born?

This “coincidence” was too amazing for me to accept until I checked it out. A former teacher from the school where I am the administrator is married to a Montana sheep rancher. She confirmed what I had been told. She said, “Oh, yes! None of the men who have flocks are in church for weeks at Christmas. They have to be in the fields day and night to clean up and care for the lambs as soon as they are born or many would perish in the cold.”

Isn’t that neat? God’s Lamb, who was to die for the sins of the world, was born when all the other little lambs are born. Because He came and died the centuries old practice of sacrificing lambs for sin could end.

There is another neat confirmation that God had His Son born at Christmas. The days at the end of December are the shortest (and therefore the darkest days) of the year. Jesus Christ said, “I am the light of the world.” So at the time of the year when the darkness is greatest, God the Father sent God the Son to be the Light of the world.

The Lord Jesus Christ came to earth, lived a sinless life and was therefore qualified to pay the penalty for the sins of all mankind (which is death). He paid it all – but all do not benefit from the wondrous gift God bestowed on mankind at Christmas.

“He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” John 1:11-12

(John Stormer, pastor emeritus, Heritage Baptist Church, Florissant, Mo., from the Pensacola Christian College magazine, The ABeka, Winter 1996.) HT

By the President of the United States of America.

A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

William H. Seward,
Secretary of State