Covenanter Witness Vol. 53 - Rparchives.org

you"mas".PublishersLESSON HELPS FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 2, 1955THE FIELD IS THE WORLD,THB SEED IS THE WORD OE GOD"VOLUME LIII WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1954 NUMBER 241 Message for This SeasonThis day is Christmas, and the best diagnosis ofthe true meaning was given by a doctor over 1900years ago. It cannot be improved upon. The doctor isLuke, and the diagnosis is found in the second chapter of his inspired "prescription," which is known tous as the Gospel according to St. Luke. In the 11thverse, we have the very core of the message: "Forof David a Savunto you is born this day in the cityLord."iour, which is Christ theNote how clear and sharp is the doctor's diagnosis:"Unto"This day" ."A Saviour" ... thatthat is PERSONAL.that is PRESENT.is PRECIOUS.There is all the difference in the world betweenChristmas and Christ. Millions make a holiday overthe former and forget the latter. Christ is frequentlycrowded out of that special day which is meant to remember Him .the most. Holiness is hidden beneaththe holly. The wreath is hung higher than the Cross.Often, the Saviour is replaced by Santa Claus.Yet without Christ there really is no Christmas.Without Him, there is nothing to sing about or rejoice over. Outward merriment all too quickly becomes inward mockery to the starved soul. It is timefor us to turn back to that perfect prescription of theold doctor and spend a quiet moment with his words :"UNTO YOU" .. . This is a personal message,and there can be no evasion nor denial. What haveyou done with the Lord Jesus Christ for this occasion ? You have remembered family and friends withgifts, but . . . have you remembered Him?"THIS DAY" . . .Yes, this day, this very moment ! Thoughts of Christmas fill the air and thereis at least the passing acknowledgment of His person.But do you know that the thoughts of Christ concerning you are those of grace and eternal life? Heoffers you the most wonderful Christmas giftavailable the gift of your soul's salvation? Whatwill you do with Christ at this Christmas?"A SAVIOUR" . . .Yes, that is the power-pithof the prescription. The road from Christmas to Calvary is really a short one, for this Babe of Bethlehemcame but for to die as the Sin-Bearer upon Calvary'scross. Not "Santa," but Saviour; not "Claus," butChrist. It is only the man orwoman, the boy or girl,who has truly been to Calvary, whose sinful hearthas been cleansed and transformed, who can reallyand truly know the blessed joy of a "heavenly Christwithin the heart.How precious are those words, "Unto you . .this ...day a Saviour," when the heart is opened toreceive them.How is it with you? Are you the Lord's? Or areyou still passing by the manger, forgetting that theHoly Babe long ago climbed from His cradle and diedon the Cross for your redemption ? "All have sinned,and come short of the glory of God . . . [But we are]justified freely by his [God's] grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3 :23, 24).Make this redemption your very own by accepting into your heart God's gift, the Christ of Christmas, as YOUR personal Saviour.Edwin Raymond AndersonIf this has helped you and you wish to 'help others writefor extra copies.American Tract Society a non-profit organizationof Christian literature since 182521 West 46th Street, New York 36, N. Y.