Christmas Eve on December 22nd

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Some families celebrate Christmas on the eve of December 24th and others on the morning of the 25th. Recently I discovered that my family had the whole world beat as we often celebrated Christmas on the eve of December 22nd. 

Recently as I was organizing and labeling some old photos I'd digitized (before the persons and dates of the events were lost forever to the ether of time) and I came across what at first I thought was just an incorrect date on photos that were obviously of Christmas eve. On the back of many of these photos was the year and the date December 22nd. How odd I thought, and then I remembered my Dad was a December baby and his birthday was on the 22nd. Having two celebratory events so close together often made it easier to just observe them both on the same day (or evening as it were here).

I'm sure my Dad endured a lifetime of getting screwed on both birthday and Christmas gifts as I'll bet no one bought him double the gifts to correctly celebrate both occasions. Who knows though as all I ever remember Dad getting for gifts were clothes from my mom and sister and golf related stuff from his friends. I always got him the gag gifts that usually had some reference to flatulence that he proudly would display on his bookshelf in the basement.

This will be the 25th Christmas I've not spent with my Dad as he passed away in 1996 but I fondly remember the fun times my sister and I had tearing into our presents on the eve of his birthday and our early Christmas. I love you dad and mom (she passed away in 2016) and miss you both, especially during this time of year. If you still have your mom and dad to enjoy during this time of year, go and give them a special hug and let them know you love them. 

God bless you all and as I remember my earthly Dad's birthday Christmas this year, take a moment to remember our Father God's birthday Christmas as well and welcome Jesus into your hearts and homes.

Merry Christmas everyone!

From Prison to Promise

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Orphans are children without mothers or fathers who live with foster (temporary) parents or in actual orphanages. The lives of these children are ordered by rules and regulations established by the social services system. Many within this structured process feel like they are living in a prison.

Galatians 3:22 & 24 (ESV) says “But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.”

This scripture outlines that all of us are prisoners under sin and that the law was our guardian. Everything changes when Christ arrives and redeems us from the law. 

Galatians 4:4-5 (ESV) proclaims, “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.”

Often foster families will adopt the foster children under their care and make them legal members of their family. Everything changes for the child when the legal requirements of the law are fulfilled and they go from orphan to son or daughter. 

The same happens for us sinners when we receive the promise of Jesus through faith. The role of the guardian (the law) is fulfilled in Christ as we enter into a new way of relating to the Father. We are now sons and daughters of the King and heirs to the blessings of all eternity. 

Prayer:  Lord, we are utterly lost without You, We are prisoners of sin and orphaned from our Father. Through faith we receive the promised gift of eternal life purchased for us by Jesus Christ. Thank you for redeeming us and adopting us into the family of God. We love you and pray you would help us to live in this new life of freedom. In Jesus name, Amen.