The Baptist Digest

Wonders of Christmas, Pain and Passions Of Golgotha

November 2006

We are once again celebrating the birth of our Savior. Christmas has always been a special time for me. I use this time annually to reflect on the love of Christ for mankind. I also find myself marveling every year at the simple story of the manger, the shepherds, and the wise men.

Last month, I attended the annual meeting of the Arkansas Southern Baptist Convention. While there, I heard Emil Turner, the Executive Director, deliver a message on the need to preach more on the cross of Christ.

As I have begun to consider the marvels of Christmas, my mind has returned over and over again to the theme that Dr. Turner presented. I am reminded that the wonders of Christmas would not be so wonderful were it not for the pain and passion of Golgotha.

Dr. Turner reminded us that the shadow of the cross falls across every aspect of the life of the church. That means that it falls on our celebration of Christmas as well.

The birth of Jesus was a tremendous miracle. A virgin conceived and produced a Son, but He was not just an ordinary human being. He was God/Man, fully God and fully man. His birth had a great purpose. It had been planned since the foundation of the world. His purpose was not to live an ordinary life. He was destined to an extraordinary life. Ultimately, the event that provided the culmination of this extraordinary life was His sacrificial death on the Cross.

• As you enjoy the lights of Christmas this year, remember that the Light of the World came to die for you.
• As you share presents with your friends and family, remember that God’s greatest gift is seen in its fullness as Christ hangs on the cross.
• As you eat and enjoy the celebrations of the season, remember that the reason you can celebrate is the power of the old rugged cross.

 

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I thought you might like this column I read at baptistdigest.com. "Wonders of Christmas, Pain and Passions Of Golgotha" We are once again celebrating the birth of our Savior. Christmas has always been a special time for me. I use this time annually to reflect on the love of Christ for mankind. I also find myself marveling every year at the simple story of the manger, the shepherds, and the wise men. Last month, I attended the annual meeting of the Arkansas Southern Baptist Convention. While there, I heard Emil Turner, the Executive Director, deliver a message on the need to preach more on the cross of Christ. You can read the rest here: http://www.baptistdigest.com/archive/column/wonders_of_christmas_pain_and_passions_of_golgotha/