As I write this it is only six days until Christmas. Actually, it is only three days until we celebrate our family party with our kids and grandkids! And I am very excited about it; we don't have all our children together very often and I look forward to this special time set aside to celebrate Jesus' birth as a family. I've heard that whatever Christmas Day brings, the only important thing is to honor Jesus. And that is true, but as far as I am concerned, every day is a special day to honor Jesus, and Christmas is a time to celebrate Him with loved ones. Either with family, or our Christian brothers and sisters or to reach out to those who still need to become part of His kingdom!
Speaking of kingdoms, this week has brought a tragedy that is affecting our whole country. The Connecticut massacre of elementary school children has been first and foremost in the headlines, as it should be. Many of us have agonized and cried with the tormented families of the victims, over the evil present in our culture that is beyond comprehension.
I wish I could take this time to answer the desperate questions we have asked ourselves, each other and God. Like: "Why does God allow such evil?" "How could anyone hurt innocent children?" "What can we do to prevent another similar disaster?"
But I don't have the answers; the only thing I can do is point you to the One who does. In my Bible study, The View From Eternity, which is a companion to my novel, The Rose Journal, one lesson focuses on two spiritual kingdoms. I quote from the study: "The Bible makes it clear that two kingdoms co-exist in this world; the Kingdom of Darkness and the Kingdom of Light. Each person is traveling toward eternity in one of these kingdoms."
Obviously, the horror of the killing this week is an example of what can happen when an individual journeys in the Kingdom of Darkness and is influenced by evil. But we cannot blame God for one man's actions. Way back at the beginning of time, Adam and Even made the choice to disobey God and the consequence of that choice was to allow sin to enter the perfect world that God originally intended for His children. But God didn't leave us to wallow in our sin and be destroyed by it. He gave each individual another choice. Because of God's tremendous love . . . which also is beyond our comprehension . . . He was willing to give His only Son, Jesus Christ, to be born into this world of hurt and suffering, for the purpose of paying for the sin of all humanity once and for all on the cross. Because of God's great sacrifice, you and I can confess our sin and accept Jesus' payment for those sins in our place. If we do that, God will immediately transfer us from the Kingdom of Darkness into His beautiful and eternal Kingdom of Light!
As children of His Kingdom of Light, we have a future out of this world! Jesus says in John 16:33, "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." Our eternal future will have no more tears, suffering or death. God's promise in Revelation 21:4 says, "and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away."
As we prepare for this Christmas season, let's us remember that God did do something about evil. That is what Christmas is all about! It's not about decorated trees, gifts, stockings, food; although our family enjoys all of that as a part of the celebration. But the heart of Christmas goes far deeper, to touch the heart of each person, and to reveal and renew what is in our hearts. This holiday is not merely a time for fun and frivolity, but it is a time to remember how God changed the world with His precious gift of a Baby. It is up to each one of to choose which Kingdom we will live in. Satan is temporarily the prince of this world, so if we fail to choose, we exist as a part of the Dark Kingdom by default. Are you ready, if you haven't done so yet, to surrender to His ways for your life . . . to hold His hand and trust His love?
I firmly believe that God cries with us when we cry . . . that He feels our pain. And He is always present, ready to offer the Hope that only He can give.
copyright 2012 Linda Ruth Stai, author and inspirational speaker
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