“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12 KJV

I heard a Christmas carol on the radio this week and one of the stanzas in the song said Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. Well, I beg to differ. Christmas is not the most wonderful time of the year for most people (even Christians). In fact, the cold reality is crime goes up and people’s tempers flare; credit cards are used to purchase gifts that sometimes take years to pay off, and it reminds many of us of loved ones who’ve passed on and depression can set in and has driven some to commit suicide, and for some reason we conjure up an image of how we feel Christmas time should be, and it never turns out like we want it to! On top of that, we buy gifts for special people, and then think of others we should have bought for, so instead of spending more money, we decide to bake something or make something, and before you know it, we’ve spent more money on ribbons, ingredients, baskets, bottles and bags. Then we take our gifts that we’ve spent so much time and money on, and give them to the people we love, and our family get together is not fun because there is so much animosity, bitterness and unforgiveness that no one is really happy and we all are just trying to get through the day so we can go home and really relax. But, for those of us who live in the hill country, we have a long drive and have to watch out for the deer who are on the run from the hunters. Can anyone relate or is it just me who’s been through this?

Well, praise God I’ve finally seen the Light! Jesus is the LIGHT of the world, and He has given me joy unspeakable, and blessed peace within my soul and spirit, and wisdom that tells me there is really no reason to put up a Christmas tree, because the only gift I should be giving is God’s love within me. Everyone wants love, and the world thinks buying gifts and trinkets will make us happy, but the thrill is over in seconds. How many of you regret spending all that money, and go home after exchanging gifts only to put them on a table, or in a closet so you can wrap it up and give it away next year for the white elephant gift exchange! I told our kids not to buy us gifts unless it’s edible!

I understand giving small children gifts, but we do grow up! We all really need Jesus, and need to talk, walk and listen to Him, promptly obeying what He says, sharing His love, His Word, and His joy to others. We are commanded to love God first, and love others second, and that’s what we all need; LOVE! Jesus said “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” Matthew 7:12

If we want to be loved, we must first love others, and if we want Jesus to receive us into His Kingdom, we must first receive Jesus into our hearts. He said “3And when (if) I go and make ready a place for you, I will come back again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also.” John 14:3

John 1:10-14 “10He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

11He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

I pray everyone reading this article has received Jesus into their heart, so He can receive all of us unto Himself.

In last week’s article I said Abraham struck the rock instead of speaking to it, and my pastor noticed! It was Moses who struck the rock, not Abraham. I apologize if I confused someone, but if it caused you to crack your bible to look it up then I guess it was a good thing! God bless you.