Has Your Life been affected by the Birth of Jesus the Christ?

ast Friday my son who is in the fifth grade participated in a school play where he displayed his speaking skills and his new found love for the theater. This was an annual Christmas program sponsored by the PTO at his school. There was also a dinner, which included an auction of beautifully made baskets. There was even a retail outlet set up in the library for the children to purchase Christmas gifts for their family members. I got a real (16" level) you know a tool used when building just what I needed for my collection of tools. This will be an evening that will be present in my mind for a long time to come and for several reasons. But the one thing that stood out to me above everything else during this celebration was the Christmas program. The content of this program was missing the most important element. How can you have a Christmas celebration without CHRIST? Let me explain, you see during the entire performance (about one and half-hours) there was no reference to Jesus Christ. If you ask me it was a very PC (political correct) type program with a strong secular humanistic message. Some would even go as far to say that this program was anti-Christ in its content. I was left with a void or empty feeling at the end of the program. But because I know the true meaning of Christmas and who's birthday (Jesus Christ) that is celebrated. There is no danger of stumbling, but an obvious question in my left in my mind, "Has your Life been affected by the birth of Jesus Christ?'' This question drove me to examine the scriptures and the history of the Jewish account of the greatest prophecy of all "mankind."

In my study of the gospel of Matthew 1:5-24; 2:3-23 and Luke 2:21-38 I discovered immediately that the birth of Jesus the Christ ("The Anointed One") had a great impact on the lives of several people. First it is obvious that Joseph and Mary's life was affected because what they experienced caused an absolute life change. Chosen by God and found to be highly favored, this unsuspecting couple was given the responsibility of parenting the only begotten Son of God. "Herod the Great", king of Judea was troubled when he heard the news of the "True king of the Jews". He was driven to envy and jealousy ordering the slaughter of innocent male children in Bethlehem, from two years old and younger. Due to his selfishness and the fear of losing his position he committed a sin. While following a star in the east the Magi (three mystery kings) found Jesus with Mary his mother at home. There they worshiped him and presented to him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. These men were given a vision that led them to the king of kings. On the eighth day to comply with the Jewish customs Jesus was brought to the temple were he was to be presented to the Lord. There was a man name Simeon who was righteous toward men and devoted to the Lord and the Holy Ghost was upon him. The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he would not see death until he first saw the Lord Jesus Christ. Being led by the Holy Spirit he entered the temple. When the parents of Jesus brought him in this man took the child in his arms and blessed God giving thanks and acknowledged JESUS as the salvation that he had longed to see. He said that Jesus was the "light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of the people of Israel". This was confirmation of the prophecy of old, and the revelation that the nation of Israel had spoken of for centuries.

There is a message that is very clear as the lives of these people have been examined. When Jesus Christ is taken seriously as the long awaited "Savior" of the world and celebrated with genuine love and respect. Lives are transformed; men and women accept responsibility for others and the ministry of reconciliation. In the eyes of God, life has value and favor is given to those who are not ashamed to worship and lift up the name of Jesus. If we fail to surrender all to Jesus, pride, selfishness, and rebellion will lead to sin in our lives. When men and women of God truly love the Lord the Holy Spirit "The Comforter" will lead us and guide us into all truth. And there is no fear of sharing the gospel with others, because Jesus is the reason for the season. I hope those who read this article recognize the importance of standing for what is right.

These are the personal thoughts and opinions of Minister Herman DuBose. They do not represent Northside High School or those individuals associated with the planning and creation of the Alumni website.