The Tribune

WHAT in your life would be different if you had no Saviour? How would you feel when you were burdened with sin and there was no way to be washed anew and set free from the weight of the guilt? What if you had made a terrible mistake in your youth and now 50 years later you still could not forgive yourself?

What a wonderful thing it is to know that our burdens were lifted on Calvary by the burden bearer. What a sweet relief it is to be able to go to God in prayer and leave the past completely behind, using the valuable lessons learnt, but no longer tormented by the shame. The blessings are innumerable when we think of each new day as a clean page, a fresh start.

Suppose we had no recourse when we became ill and could find no medical assistance that made a difference? What would we do when we received tragic news and we had no-one to whom we could turn for consolation? Where would we find hope when faced with ugliness and evil?

Thank God we have a Saviour who is a healer, and sends the comforter to keep us facing tomorrow with inner strength beyond our previous experience. Give God the praise for being our anchor in the storm, our strong tower in spiritual battle.

Where would we go when our limitations are obvious, our weaknesses persist, temptations rage, hearts break, the walls close in and there is no place to run? How would we come to our senses, or regain our perspective if we only had bars, gyms, malls and such places to which we could escape?

With grateful hearts, we celebrate the birth of the church made possible by the birth of Our Lord. It is so sweet to trust in Jesus; it is a blessed assurance to know the personal and private love of God. To sit in the quiet of a sanctuary, to gaze at the wood of the cross, to be bathed in the light of stained glass windows, to feel the power of centuries of prayers, is to be eternally grateful for eternal life, and to possess a very present hope in time of trouble.

This is the Christmas story from our point of view. Our God loves us and saves us with a Son, and we are never without access to love, joy, peace, hope, faith, strength and wisdom. Is this the story of your life? Do you know Who was born in Bethlehem and has He changed your life forever?

If you are not willing to fall down and worship him, your Christmas has not yet come. Don’t remain trapped in November. Don’t allow your Advent to never end. Remove your hands from covering your ears and allow the host of angels to sing your heart happy this year. His story is our story. Celebrate God’s grace revealed on Christmas Day.