THE sacrifice

Eph 3:14  For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Eph 3:15  Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

Eph 3:16  That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

Eph 3:17  That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

Eph 3:18  May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

Eph 3:19  And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Eph 3:20  Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Eph 3:21  Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

This is the Christmas season, peace on earth goodwill to men. The birth of the Savior.
He is also the reason for the season.
He is also the reason for every day minute hour second of every day!

We focus on the birth at certain times of the year, and the death burial resurrection at other certain times.
Yet without the birth there is no death. Without the death of Christ there is no resurrection. Without the resurrection there is no life!
The season is good, as long as the focus stays on Christ. The whole reason for everythng ever in our lives.
We give gifts emulating God's gift to us. We set time aside for friends and family to share their time and ours.
We have the greatest gift of all in life and that is hope! Eternal life with God, escaping the clutches of the devil, eternal damnation, separation from the light of God's presence.
We have the greatest gift, the greatest joy ever known - salvation through Christ and a personal relationship with Christ.

Pastors, teachers, workers around the nation will be gearing up the "Christmas Story" curriculum.
Just remember this please, the baby Jesus while necessary, is not the object of our affection. The baby born was born to die and pay the ultimate price for all of humanity.
Not the cross, not the baby, not the virgin but the shed blood of Christ that was willingly given as the sacrifice for all mankind.

That is the message of every day. All day.  Freely given. Voluntarily laid down. No greater love has man ever known.