THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 22, 1994 TAG: 9412220126
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
This year's Christmas devotional was written for The Sun by the Rev. Carter Dey, pastor of Wilroy Baptist Church on Williams Road in Suffolk. The Wilroy congregation presented a drive-through ``Panorama of the Life of Christ'' to hundreds of people this past Sunday through Wednesday as their Christmas gift to the community.
CHRISTMAS AND JOY are almost synonymous - at least for most people. The festive decorations, gift giving, and family celebrations make the world seem a nicer place to be each December. For Christians, Christmas is one of the most holy seasons of the year. The miraculous birth of Christ marked the beginning of God's promised plan of eternal salvation for all who choose to accept it.
Yet Christmas and joy are opposites for some people. Depression and loneliness are common companions for many individuals as they approach Dec. 25. Those who have faced illness, death, divorce, job loss or calamities during the past year are particularly susceptible to holiday depression.
This isn't helped when Christmas, for many, has become the kind of holiday where we spend too much money. We're expected to buy happiness. But as Christians, we need to remember the real meaning of the holiday and focus, not on how much money we spend on presents, but on worshiping the Lord.
Christmas has become a rush to most people. So much to do, so little time in which to do it. While the little ones seem to think that Christmas will never come, there are others who think that it comes too quickly. It doesn't seem possible that the year has gone by and the Christmas rush is here again. We rush, rush, rush and wonder, ``Where is the joy of Christmas?''
This Christmas, try to slow down and remember that . . .
Christmas is . . . a time of sharing. A time when we share gifts with those we love. At no time of the year are people so intent on sharing. Sharing gifts, sharing love, sharing food. All the sharing and giving that we do with one another is because of what God did for us that first Christmas so long ago. So even in the rush of Christmas, find time to share Jesus with someone you know.
Christmas is . . . a time for family. A time when the family will gather from near and far to spend Christmas together. Remember those who do not have family. Perhaps it would be a good time to invite them to one of your holiday meals. Most of all, be sure to invite Jesus and make him feel welcomed.
Christmas is . . . a time for remembering. There are some in our families who will not be here to celebrate this Christmas with us. For some, this will be a difficult time as they go through their first Christmas without them. To you, I say, remember there will come a time when the family circle will be unbroken; when the family will be together again. That will take place only if you and your loved ones know Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Without Jesus there would be no salvation, and there would be no Christmas. So, remember that Jesus is the reason for the season.
No longer a baby; no longer a child; but man - God in flesh. This Christmas look beyond the baby in a manger to the empty cross, because therein lies the real celebration. Christ the Lord was born, he lived, he died and he rose again. He came that we might have forgiveness of sin and enjoy the blessing of the life we have in him now and throughout eternity. If you are facing loneliness, sorrow and difficulties, remember you can still know joy in the Christ of Christmas. My friends, if you have experienced all these things and more through your faith in the Lord Jesus, this can be for you a MERRY CHRISTMAS. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
The drive-through ``Panorama of the Life of Christ'' at Wilroy
Baptist Church on Williams Road features the Nativity, complete with
live animals and a star over the manger.
by CNB