It’s easy to get distracted this time of year — if not by the rush of holiday shopping and looking for the perfect gift, then by the horrible news that seems to get darker and darker every year. Recently, though, it seems to get darker and darker every week!

We have witnessed terrorist attacks here at home and around the globe. Crime seems out of control. Hate flourishes everywhere we look. Politics gets uglier and uglier.

How did we get here? I believe it’s because we have forgotten the real reason we celebrate Christmas — to remember the birth of a child who would grow up to be the savior of the world.

There is no gift that could ever be as valuable as receiving Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Who was Jesus, and why should we care? This Proclamation says it all (source unknown):

ROYAL PROCLAMATION

He was born in a stable in an obscure village in a war-ravaged country so that, as Isaiah prophesied, the people walking in darkness could see a great light.

He traveled less than 200 miles in his whole life, yet Isaiah 9:3 declares that he has “enlarged the nation and increased their joy.”

He never won an election, yet the government shall be on his shoulders.

He never went to college, yet it has been decreed upon him the title, wonderful counselor.

He never had a stock portfolio or any political connections, yet he is the Mighty God.

He never raised a family, but he is the Everlasting Father.

He stopped business in the temple for a day, with a whip in his hand and the Scriptures on his lips, but he did so as the Prince of Peace.

He met the devil in the wilderness after fasting 40 days and 40 nights just to let him know his time was about up.

He became a momadic preacher and people came by the thousands to hear his words.

He made a seafood buffet for a stadium full of people with just 5 biscuits and 2 fish sticks and 5,000 hungry men couldn’t eat it all.

He healed Jairus daughter who was dying on the other side of town by just deciding that it would be so, and it was so.

He touched the leper with his bare hands just to pick a fight with those who thought they were better than lepers.

He looked at the Sea of Galilee and decided it was a nice night for a walk.

He went to Lazarus’ funeral and for the first time the town mortician had to make good on his money back guarantee.

He headlined with Moses and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration.

He mobilized 12 useless, good for nothing disciples that no other rabbi in his right mind would want to turn the world upside down for his cause.

When he spits on the ground, watch out! Blind eyes might be opened.

If you touch the hem of his garment when he’s not paying attention, watch out! You might get healed.

If you invite him to your wedding, don’t worry about paying for the wine. He’ll take care of that for you.

If you are traveling with him on a boat through bad weather, just wake him up and watch him change the weather forecast.

If in your dying breath you ask him to remember you, that very day you will be with him in paradise.

He is the one and only one and only, the greatest that ever was.

Popular opinion turned against him.

He was betrayed by a close friend and his other friends ran away.

He was unjustly condemned to death.

He was crucified on a cross on a hill overlooking the town dump.

He was laid in a borrowed tomb and it looked as if he would be forgotten.

Yet, centuries have come and gone.

Empires have risen and fallen.

Mighty armies have marched and great rulers have reigned.

Yet, no one has affected mankind as much as He.

He is the central figure of the human race.

He is the messiah, the Son of God, He is — Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

This one life continues to change history. Do you know Him?

Stop the hustle and bustle, the fear and anxiety of the world around you and let the Prince of Peace come into your life and give you the free gift of eternal life. If you do, Christmas will never be the same for you!

Merry Christmas!
Semper Fidelis