Merry Christmas, "LET US WORSHIP"

          In a world which seems to be increasing with evil; where the news of tragedy is instantly at our figure tips and we are consistently shown images of pain and suffering in people's lives…  for me [at least] it has become harder to view our lives [in this world] with hope and joy. 

          Where has goodness in people] gone? It appears that man's inhumanity far outweighs any appearance of charity and compassion.

          When I was a child my world was full of wonder and hope. I never saw [or heard about] evil. To me evil was something outside of ourselves. It was relegated to the realm of monsters and bogymen; a make-believe place that within my childish mind seemed very real.

          Yet there are monsters and bogymen, and they are not consigned to a child's imagination. They can appear out of nowhere and cause destruction and havoc. Our children cannot be consoled with the assurance that no one is lurking under the bed or hiding in the closet; because their world is displayed with pictures [and sounds] that show otherwise.

          How do we deal with this insurmountable broadcast of evil that comes over our TV's and computers? How do we keep the hope [in humanity] in the proper perspective?  Evil does not exist because of poverty; it is not a product of our environment. Evil is not something outside of ourselves; it is within each of us. Each of us has the capacity to hate, and to cause harm [to ourselves and to others].

          Unfortunately, this is not taught [or believed] by those in most places of leadership and influence, and so they continue to point figures of blame. Whether on lack of legislation or the need for gun control, or on the lack of good education, or on cultural conditions, or the need for better mental health; the list of pretenses will go on and on. And that is exactly what these lists of excuses are; pretenses, and supposition. 

  There is only one answer; and the Christmas season is the perfect example. Our hope [for humanity] is only found in the story of a little baby born in Bethlehem whose name is Jesus. For within this wonderful story we see love demonstrated and made complete.

          That God so loved the world that He gave us is only begotten Son, Christ Jesus. For this reason we have been given the hope that lives can be changed. That good will conquer evil.  That our future is secure. 

          It is my prayer this Christmas that each one who knows Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior will grasp the seriousness of our responsibility before God and pray for those who have yet to follow Him. For it is only when hearts have changed that lives will be changed. 

          Come and worship Him this Christmas and allow His love to flood your heart and mind.