Dear Co-Laborers in Christ,
Happy New Year!
When I was growing up, my grandfather always kept his Christmas tree up for weeks, even months after everyone took their Christmas trees down and packed away their decorations. He loved Christmas and wanted to prolong the holiday so he kept his tree and all the decorations up.
I remember one year, Easter came early, at the end of March. His Christmas tree was still up at Easter. He would keep the house cool, put aspirin and other things in the water to keep it alive. That year, the tree actually grew an inch, new growth was on every branch. Every time we walked into his living room, there was the pine fragrance, the tree lit up, the trains and cotton snowed covered village beneath it. For my grandfather, Christmas was more than a day, more than a week, more than a month. Although I was not born again at that time, it struck me on that Easter Sunday when I saw my grandfather’s Christmas tree that Christ’s birth and His death and resurrection were connected in some way.
Since Christ has graciously enlightened my mind and soul to the truth about salvation and about Jesus Christ being my Savior, I now realize that there is a clear connection between Christmas and Easter with regards to my salvation. Luke 2:11-12 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. The great truth I learned is that God is with me every day, not just on Christmas or on Easter. Immanuel is not seasonal. We don’t need to try to prolong the Christmas season with trees, nativity scenes and decorations. For believers, we have Immanuel dwelling within us all the time. The Christmas Spirit is with us all year long, every year.
It is because of the presence of Christ with us that we can have a happy new year every day of 2019. Joy to the World, the Lord Is Come! And He does not leave when the season is over. Amen!
Blessings,
Pastor Chaya