‘Tis the season, but for what? Giving and receiving presents? Perhaps, but that’s not all. Being kind to one another and loving everyone? Well, if you’re a Christian, that’s what you’re supposed to do all the time anyway. Singing songs and going to church? That’s closer to the truth, but even so, it can still be just an empty ritual with no meaning or impact. Sadly, this is the case with the majority of our culture, even self-professing ‘Christians’ to whom Christmas is little more than an excuse to overeat, take the day off and think about what they want for themselves. We barely even acknowledge Christ anymore and certainly the majority of our culture is reluctant to even say the word Christmas. ‘Happy Holidays’ has become the refrain from most retailers and corporations, even though buying gifts for this unspecified holiday happens to have a deadline of December 24th. We have traded the manger for the mall and adoration for avarice.
The ‘true meaning of Christmas’ for which countless movies, holiday specials and children’s books have searched is not about happiness, kindness or even families, although these are all good things; it is about the God of the universe becoming a human baby to live and die as one of us. The true gift of Christmas is that of Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son, who came down from heaven and subjected Himself to the same trials, sorrows and pains that all of us face. When we fail to recognize Christ in Christmas, we are denying the very Creator who made us and the Savior who purchased us with His own blood. When we make it about crass commercialism, greedy materialism or even feel-good humanism, we are forgetting who He is and making this sacred day about us.
As you celebrate Christmas with your family and loved ones, remember His love for you and the ultimate outpouring that culminated at the cross of Calvary. Remind and tell others of the greatest gift of all that is freely available to every one of us, ready to transform our hearts as soon as we accept it. We at Beauty from Ashes are continually awed by the unfathomable love of the great God we serve, and we are seeing that love manifested here in our safehome. We have two over-comers of sex trafficking who are now residents here, having for the first time, a home and a family for the holidays. Our home and our hearts are full and all of us hope and pray that you and yours will have a wonderful, Merry, Christ-centered Christmas full of His peace.
In His passionate love & grateful service,
Steve & Julie Shematz
Founders, Beauty From Ashes™ Ministries
Where Victims Become Over-Comers
239.939.9218
877.4BFA SOS (423.2767) International Toll Free Help Line
Beauty From Ashes Ministries
AWARENESS & PREVENTION • REACH & RESCUE • TEACH & DEMONSTRATE • TRAIN & SEND
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