Return to Christmas truth

At this time of year, we all are familiar with the slogans, signs and billboards we see along the way.

They read, “Jesus is the Reason for the Season” and “Keep Christ in Christmas.”

These reminders are used to point out the true meaning of Christmas.

God sent his son into this world, to save the world from its sin and to give eternal life to all who believe in him.

The king left his throne in heaven, descended and began the mission of redemption for all mankind.

Coming as a babe, born of a virgin in a lowly stable, his entrance was the beginning of the fulfillment of God’s everlasting plan for his creation.

In Isaiah 7:14, Scripture reads, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign, Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.”

In Matthew 2:22-23, the word of God states, “Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet. Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His Name Immanuel, which is translated God with us!”

What a wonderful and merciful act of obedience from the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ.

His entrance unanimously announced and trumpeted by the angelic host of heaven declaring, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased.” God was and is continuing to reach out to us.

Sadly, the focus of many has turned away from the true meaning of Christmas, Christ and the cross; being replaced with a barrage of worldly gift giving.

We have oftentimes failed to keep Christ in Christmas, and to accept the gift of his life into our hearts.

As I read the story of the Advent, I was struck once again that a stable was chosen as the birth place of our Savior.

Scripture notes that there was no room at the inn, therefore Mary gently covered her child and laid him in a manger.

No room for Christ.

How could this be the case? He created the world in which he came and yet it found no place for him. Indeed.

Yet, this too is all a part of the plan and purpose of God, using the lowliest of places as a provision for his son, and as an example for us. Will we make room for him in our hearts?

During this time and going forward let us with open hearts examine our relationship with the Lord.

His love, extended to us is an overwhelming sacrifice.

He wants to live in our hearts and lives, a part of our life by faith.

His presence is with us no matter how we feel or what we are going through today.

The Christmas experience of his birth is only the beginning as he reaches out to us with the hope that we in turn invite him into our lives.

Is there room for him in your heart today?

Even the strongest of Christians must examine their hearts as it is so easy at times to have “other things” take precedence over the Lord.

This happens in a life often without realizing.

The muck and mire of life, the cares of life, hurt it sometimes produces can affect our relationship.

Remember, when Christ came at Christmas, he brought peace to men.

Do you have peace with God today?

God, through his son seeks a “relationship” with us.

He is a father in search of a child’s heart.

His exclusion ended with the coming of the Messiah.

God in his love gave the best gift of all, salvation. His name is Jesus.

The word relationship means, “The state of being related, kinship, and connection through membership in the same family.”

To experience this relationship we must first recognize we are either a part of his family, or not.

Today, because of Christmas and the coming of the Lord, we can have peace and a healthy father-child relationship.

Patty Scahill of Austintown is a conference speaker, author and hospice chaplain.