“For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.” (Romans 15:8-9a)

As you look forward to Christmas do you feel as if you are missing the real spirit of the Holy Day? During the preChristmas season it is quite easy to forget what Christmas is about. Maybe this is because we believers have allowed ourselves to be formed more and more into the image of what the world expects us to be rather than into the image of Christ. At this time of year the world greatly influences us to celebrate in a way that distracts us from the Lord to focus on the celebration, the food, the feasting, the gift-giving. The world sees it as a time for excess not for sober reflection on the direction of one’s life, perhaps to deliberately avoid the pain and sadness such reflection brings to those who have no hope, those who do not know the Lord Jesus.

This is why the Church focuses on Advent as the time to look forward to the coming of Christ. It is a time of reflection, repentance and joy as we celebrate the Savior who came as a man to save all mankind from sin and its penalties. It. Is a season of hope as we know that He is coming again and will make all things new. This is what Paul calls on us to remember. We cannot behave as the world does. We cannot let it squeeze us into its mold or template. We have a calling to preach the truth of the gospel to all men, not just internally in our churches, but out in our world. We who have faith in Jesus must be a witness for Him, a living example of His love, mercy and compassion as well of His power to change lives and make all men righteous and holy.