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Barnes in Commonthe magazine of Churches Together in Barnes
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The Reason for the Seasonby Rev. Dr Ebute Obiabo, Minister, Barnes Methodist ChurchTo All Our Brothers and Sisters in the Lord The children ask, Dad, as this is our first Christmas in Barnes, should we get a real Christmas tree this year? What about the Christmas goat? What shall we do for Christmas dinner? Oh Papa! what will my present be? Yes, here we are again. It is Christmas. But in spite of it all, may God's peace, love and joy be with you this Christmas, and in the coming year, because of the Reason for the Season. Christmas is such a busy time, especially here in London. Oxford Street and all the shops are crowded, and there seems so much to be done. How we long for rest and peace after all this. Yet in the midst of it all, the Lord Jesus Christ offers just what we really need: "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matt 11:28. But in order to know God's peace, we must first find peace with God by entering a personal relationship with him through the Son who said "... I am the way, the truth and the life. No man cometh unto the father, but by me." John 14:6. The commercialisation and materialism that are so obvious at this time of the year suggest that Christmas as we know it, is not as it should be. But looking honestly at ourselves, we'll realize that the same can be said of our own Christian lives. Are they what God wanted them to be? "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Rom 3:23. But in spite of our rebellion against God, Christmas means we never need to wonder how much God loves us. Reflect on your life this Christmas. Many things will be given and received this Christmas, but the most important gift of all is that of God's Only Son. And this is the only gift that will meet our greatest need, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son..." John 3:16. Christmas is a very costly time for my wife Ene and me, and we believe for our friends too. Although we receive Christ as a free gift, there is a cost involved. We cannot really enjoy peace, and a personal relationship with him until we are sincerely ready, and with the help of the Holy Spirit turn away from ALL in our lives that we know to be wrong. We all know that Christmas is a time for decisions: which cards to send, what presents to buy, yet the greatest decisions of all can be so easily overlooked. What to do with the Lord Jesus Christ, the Reason for the Season? My prayer for all our friends and the people of Barnes is to stop, reflect on the reason for the season, and make one of the most important decision in their lives: Coming to the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and truly embodying our Lord Jesus Christ in the Barnes community this Christmas and beyond. Christ is the Reason for the Season. |
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