"That’s What Christmas Is All About"

Each Christmas season brings with it scores of TV specials, some quite old and others somewhat new. Some are a bit silly and really do not properly convey the meaning and magnitude of what the holiday is at its core. But many of these remain classics complete with touching story lines and fine and memorable acting performances.

But for myself, there is one that rises above the rest. This one would not seem, on the surface, to even be mentioned along with those of the caliber of  ‘A Christmas Carol’, ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’, ‘White Christmas’ or ‘Miracle on 34th Street.’ These are all wonderful stories in their own right. That said, they are lacking in something crucial that has been conveyed in a simple and low budget cartoon produced by Charles M. Schulz. It aired for the first time on prime time back in 1965 - some 47 years ago.

What is it that has made “A Charlie Brown Christmas” a classic among classics and worthy of being placed along side the likes of the great seasonal shows? The answer to that is simple. It is the very short segment of the show where a young Linus answers a highly frustrated Charlie who has just blurted out; “Doesn’t anyone know what Christmas is all about?” As most know, Linus, with his famous blanket in tow, slowly wonders to middle of the stage. He pauses there, gently calls for single spotlight and proceeds with his brief discourse using only the words of Luke chapter two.

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were so afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill towards men.'" (Luke 2:8-14)

He concludes his now famed Scriptural statement by uttering, ”That's what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown."

What is your Christmas really all about this year? If these words found in Luke's gospel are not the central focus, then it will be an incomplete celebration at best. If they are, then you are with those who alone can fully experience this so-called “Most wonderful time of the Year” You are among the blessed who realize that the child born in Bethlehem came primarily as the Savior destined for the cross!

Another gospel account further declares how both of these miraculous events work together as one.
“And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21-24)

We trust that the second part of this great verse describes you this Christmas season and that you are a part of God's family of faith. If not, trust today the God-man and Savior - Jesus Christ. For you, He began His earthly life in that lowly manger so long ago. And for you, He voluntarily ended that earthly life on the cross to redeem you from the power and penalty of sin. In doing so you will be able to, for the very first time, fully know and totally enjoy ‘what Christmas is all about’.

Bill Breckenridge

The Greatest Christmas Carol

As the song-writer put it, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” And even for those who may disagree, or are unable to comprehend that, it is true nonetheless.

The season brings with it a vast variety of traditions and practices including, of course, the constant playing of the so-called ‘Christmas Carols’. These well-known songs often carry with them profound lyrics that are even played on secular outlets that normally adhere to the wrongly understood concept of ‘separation of church and state’. Millions sing or hear the words they have often known well since childhood. Sadly many of the same do not notice, or maybe care anything about, the staggering spiritual implications leaving their own lips or entering their ears.

 But it could be argued that the single most profound carol of the season is "Hark The Herald Angels Sing”. It first appeared in 1739 in the collection of hymns and sacred poems written by Charles Wesley. The popular version is the result of alterations by various hands, including George Whitefield, who was Wesley's co-worker. He changed the opening to the familiar one.

The hymn is a stunning statement of theological and biblical truth. Again, countless millions annually parrot its words without pausing to analyze the incredibly clear life-changing message it declares in every stanza. It does so to the degree of revealing the existence of human sin and the full plan of salvation to any who really focus on the eternally significant lyrics found therein.

 Hark! the herald angels sing "Glory to the newborn King! Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!" Joyful, all ye nations rise; Join the triumph of the skies; With angelic host proclaim "Christ is born in Bethlehem!" Hark! the herald angels sing "Glory to the newborn King!" 

Christ, by highest heaven adored; Christ the everlasting Lord; Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of the favored one. Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see; Hail the incarnate Deity Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail! the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail! the Son of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, Risen with healing in His wings. Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die; Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!"

It is hard to imagine how any could not be drawn into some encounter with God through the words of this great hymn and others like it. Tragically many do not, and therefore repeatedly miss we call "The reason for the season.”

But for those who have a personal knowledge of this carol’s greatest phrase, “God and sinners reconciled!", this is indeed the most wonderful time of the year, And the meaning of Charles Wesley’s Christmas masterpiece has since been surprisingly reaffirmed in one of the newer songs whose title alone complements his great work. It is appropriately entitled, “Cradle In The Shadow Of a Cross.” And as Linus said to Charlie Brown in perhaps the most beloved TV special of the season, “That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown!”

 “Born to raise the sons of earth, 

Born to give them second birth.”

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

 Bill Breckenridge

Pearl Harbor = “Amazing Grace”?

On Sunday, December 7, 1941 America experienced what has come to be known as, “A day of infamy” - a term coined by the President at that time. It was a gruesome act of aggression that had no equal until the terrorist attacks of  9/11 and was followed by years of carnage on a level that few would have ever imagined possible.

At 06:05 on December 7, six Japanese carriers launched a first wave of 183 aircraft against the U.S. military base at Pearl Harbor. Overall, 9 ships of the U.S. fleet were sunk and 21 ships were severely damaged. The overall death toll reached 2,402 with 1,282 being wounded. Of the military personnel lost at Pearl Harbor, 1,177 were from the battleship Arizona alone.

The horrific war to follow the Japanese surprise attack was, of course, one of the greatest blights in the history of mankind. The brutality, destruction and death figures are unfathomable even some 67 years later. Death toll estimates reach as high as 52 million including military and civilians together. Those numbers are hard, if not impossible, to truly grasp. Lost in these massive figures is the sickening aspect of the individual human suffering involved in  its many terrible forms. Just the holocaust brutality from the infamous Nazi death camps alone staggers the imagination and sickens the soul.

But along side of the horror and suffering that took place in the great war, there were other lesser-known, but positive, stories hiding under the brutal surface. One such event includes the miraculous salvation, reunion and eventual ministry of two of the war's great combatants and most bitter of enemies. It is a story for the ages and became literally history altering. It is an amazing illustration of the incredible power and grace of God despite all the odds. That story, “The Amazing Grace of World War II.  can be found at our ministry website at this address:

http://wordandtheworld.homestead.com/WWII.html  

The article is beyond worth reading and sharing. It will encourage, inspire and renew your perspective on true forgiveness and the amazing grace and power of God, again, even in the midst of life's most terrible and paralyzing circumstances.


"If anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do." (Col. 3:13)

Bill Breckenridge

Giving Thanks – The Complete Package

In September 1620, a small ship called the Mayflower left England carrying 102 passengers. Aboard was an assortment of religious separatists seeking a new home where they could freely practice their faith. The treacherous and uncomfortable ocean crossing  lasted some 66 long days.

In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn feast that is acknowledged today as the first Thanksgiving celebration in the colonies. But it wasn't until 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November.

There are many verses that reveal the absolute importance and critical nature of praising God. But few do a finer job than do the words found in the book of Hebrews and chapter 13. Verses 15-16 read,  "Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."

These verses remind and exhort all Christians to ‘continually’ offer thanks to God and to do so through what is termed there the 'fruit of our lips'. That obviously includes approaching God both verbally and outwardly and in public.  It is also declared there that this should al be done 'sacrificially' clearly revealing the level of thanks expected by the Creator from His redeemed and highly blessed people.

But even more striking is what is conveyed in verse 16. While still in the context of thanksgiving the author also adds,  "But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." These words provide a vivid, and maybe enlightening, reminder that part of giving adequate praise to one's Savior is to do good to others on His behalf. This too is to be accomplished sacrificially by actively caring and even sharing of our material things to meet the needs with those less fortunate.  Galatians 6:10 indicates that these actions be primarily directed to those who are “of the household of faith”. And again it is interesting that this that the writer says is 'well pleasing' to God.

A Christian’s praise to God in all of its forms should not be limited to a day, a season or just in the good times of life. It is rather to be a continual, sacrificial and comprehensive lifestyle both verbally and practically. It is to be the complete biblical package!

“Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.  Let the redeemed of the LORD say so.” (Psalm 107:1-2)

Bill Breckenridge

Two Coinciding Storms

The end of October and the start of November brought two huge events that will impact our nation for years to come. One was the end to on ongoing political storm and the other a blast from nature that rocked nearly 25% of the nation’s citizens.


The first was Hurricane Sandy, called by many ‘The Perfect Storm’. Her fury was fueled through a rare merger with two other weather systems that drove the monster ashore with ground zero being New Jersey and New York City. Typically a coastal Hurricane will drift out to sea before striking the most densely populated part of the country. Not this time. Sandy, which was also dubbed by some experts as ‘Frankenstorm’, caused some eight million people to lose power and for long periods of time. There are actually some who are still without. The devastation was immense even farther inland, but especially along the coast where the damage figures could easily rival or exceed that of Katrina.

A week after the historic storm hit the U.S. coast, a long time political storm also finally came to an end when incumbent Barak Obama defeated Mitt Romney to gain another 4 years in office. The President won convincingly in the electoral vote. But the popular vote was evenly split revealing what most already knew to be true. America is, and has been for some time now, a divided nation in their views and dreams for the present solutions and for the future course of their country. But regardless of who won the White House, the challenge remains the same. The large and lingering economic, and other, national problems have taken a toll on multiple millions and caused many to lose hope and almost dread what lies ahead for them and their families.

Enter the holidays. Just as the death toll becomes finalized and the damage figures more clear, so do the plans by the President to fix a very broken, divided and somewhat depressed nation. For scores under his extended leadership daily life remains depressing and hope seems distant. And yet, for those who reside, not just in America, but who are also citizens of the heavenly realm via Jesus Christ, joy, victory, peace and hope all remain and are real. But there is a catch.

Christians are susceptible to problems and pressures just like those who know not God in a personal way. But where they part company is in their ability to face whatever life brings with a “peace that passes all understanding” according to the truth seen in Philippians 4:17. This great blessing and benefit is part of the salvation in addition to the forgiveness of sins and a certain future with God forever in heaven some day. Peace in good times or in the bad is something money cannot buy but is something all men desperately crave. It has been long known that many of the most depressed and lonely people alive are many times those possessing far more materials things than they can ever use.

Then too is the greater issue found in question form in Mark chapter 8 by very one who Himself bought and paid for redemption by His own sacrifice for all. In verse 36 Jesus posed the greatest inquiry that can be asked and answered. He asked, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul ? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Possessing and enjoying that special inner peace, hope and confidence promised by God comes with certain conditions. One primary one is closely related to the coming holiday. Paul, in Philippians 4:6 stated, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with ‘thanksgiving’, let your requests be made known to God.” Thankfulness is no small matter to God, and is something He desires for believers. The degree of importance of this mindset and action is seen in 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18. We read there, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

If you find yourself today in a joyless or fearful state of mind with the cares of this world strangling the peace and hope of being united with Christ, take a careful inventory on the blessings and opportunities you have with and through Him. And make a serious attempt to follow the admonitions seen in Philippians 4:8-9 and the result of doing so. “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

And then offer Him serious and continual praise. If this really is the “will of God concerning you” you will soon find the power and the peace to fully contend and even rise above the minor and mega-storms that will always come ashore in life in this fallen world.

“But THANKS be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:56-57)

Bill Breckenridge