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Dear Friends in Christ:
Here we are once again entering the holiday season.
Among the increased activity that comes with it we want
to remain focused on what is of primary importance.
Sure, we all enjoy the football games, the good food
and get-togethers. We look forward to the excitement
of Christmas and all the special music, decorations,
and events. And of course, the gifts, both giving and
receiving. It is a time with much to offer for the followers
of Christ. But I want to call our attention to one simple
word that we use everyday that sums up what we as Christians
are doing at the holidays whether we realize it or not
– that word is “remember”.
The Bible has a lot to say about “remembering”.
We don’t have time in one letter to examine it
all but take some time on your own and see how many
instances remembering is mentioned in the Scriptures.
God told us in the Ten Commandments to “remember
the Sabbath day” (Exodus 20:8). Solomon concludes
his book of Ecclesiastes with this advice, “Remember
your Creator in the days of your youth” (Ecclesiastes
12:1). One of the thieves who was crucified next to
Jesus asked the Savior to, “remember me when you
come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42). How many
times did God deliver Israel from their enemies because
He remembered His covenant with Abraham? (Exodus 2:24).
Cornelius was told by the angel that his offerings were
“had in remembrance in the sight of God”
(Acts 10:31). We are warned to “Remember Lot’s
wife” as we consecrate ourselves to godly living
(Luke 17:32). And Jesus, on the night He was betrayed
admonished us to take the bread and take the cup in
remembrance of Him (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). And there
are many more but we can see from these few examples
that remembering plays an important role in our walk
with the Lord.
Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year celebration
are all opportunities for us as God’s people to
remember the hand of God in our lives and to give Him
the thanks and praise He so richly deserves. We remember
the people in our lives with gifts and other expressions
of love. We remember the traditions that we were raised
with that add a special appeal to these celebrations.
We remember the stories of past holidays that we enjoy
retelling to our children. We remember members of our
families that are deceased or live a great distance
away. These remembrances all play a part in the joy
we feel.
In the Old Testament, God gave instruction to the people
of Israel to celebrate several annual feasts for the
purpose of remembering the greatness and goodness of
the Almighty (Deuteronomy 16:3). Let’s make the
most of the richness the holidays have to offer by remembering
how good it is to be a child of God.
Sometimes this season can become a problem when people
clash over different expectations for holiday celebrations.
Rather than fall into that trap I encourage you to do
your best to make each holiday more meaningful and enriching
by choosing to remember the innumerable blessings we
have received. At Thanksgiving we give thanks to our
Heavenly Father, the source of every good thing. At
Christmas we rejoice that our Savior has come and is
coming again. At New Year’s we reflect on what
the grace of God has produced in our lives and we plan
for even greater tomorrows. God help us to always remember
and never forget that we as Christians truly above all
people on this planet are most blessed and have more
reason to celebrate than any other. Let us shine brightly
for all the world to see.
For His Name,
John Merola
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