Subject:  CHRISTMAS: THE HARBINGER OF DIVINE PEACE AND LOVE

from DD.

Dear All

More than a hundred wars and skirmishes are raging on in the world today.
Not to mention the little wars at homes and offices everywhere. Millions
are rendered homeless and jobless. Scores killed, injured and maimed for
life. It has become an ugly tool in the hands of unscrupulous
politicians and leaders. WAR AND WAR, THE PRICE OF POWER; WHO CAN CLEANSE
MANKIND OF THIS SCAR? Leave alone nations, why can't two neighbours live
in peace with each other? Modern man is sitting on a nuclear catastrophe.
Why is man not finding lasting peace in his wealth, health and riches?
Even in that most fabulous and glamorous country of the modern age, the
USA too, there is no peace in the lives of many people. There is an
abortion every 30 seconds and a suicide every 15 minutes. Why is
consumerism and materialism not able to satisfy the inner longings of a
man? There is an earthquake every 20 minutes, bringing in its wake death
and destruction. Five young people are infected with AIDS every minute.
Floods, famines, cyclones, diseases, accidents and heinous crimes are
taking their toll in millions. Not to mention greed, malice, infidelity,
hatred and fighting's. Behind the facade of development and affluence lies
the grim reality of a world that is filled with anxiety, fear and pain.
While millions go to bed without food everyday, millions elsewhere are not
able to eat what they have, as they are filled with other anxieties.
Many are living in fear, anxious of the approaching millennium. Many
are Y2K compliant, but concerning life they have a 'WHY TO CARE'
approach. Many are on the look out for peace. There is utter confusion and
chaos in the world.

The root cause of all these problems lies in the heart of man and its
sinful condition. FOR OUT OF THE HEART PROCEED EVIL THOUGHTS, MURDERS,
ADULTERIES, FORNICATIONS, THEFTS, FALSE WITNESS AND BLASPHEMIES: THESE ARE
THE THINGS THAT DEFILE A MAN (The Bible). Man has lost all dignity and
honour for his neighbour and himself. He has lost all purposes in life.

WHAT IS THE ANSWER THEN? It is spelt CHRISTMAS, the harbinger of divine
peace and happiness.

On a cold Bethlehem night, the Son of God was born in an indescript
stable, with cows, donkeys, sheep and chickens for company. The little
baby was called JESUS, for HE WAS GOING TO SAVE HIS PEOPLE FROM THEIR SINS
(The Bible). God and sinful man were reconciled on this wonderful day,
according to divine plan and purpose. He promised Peace and Joy, for HE
WAS THE PRINCE OF PEACE (The Bible). CHRISTMAS is the culmination and
climax of God's love for this troubled mankind. FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD
THAT HE GAVE US HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH ON HIM
SHOULD NOT PERISH BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE (The Bible). 

This is the message of CHRISTMAS. It is not Santa Claus and surprise
gifts, candles and cakes, stars and bars, coloured paper and candies. It
is the birth of a SAVIOUR and the death of SLAVERY OF SIN. It is the
defeat of SIN and the victory of PEACE. JESUS IS THE PEACE (The Bible),
the answer to the problems of this world, yours and mine too. CHRISTMAS is
the story of how the CURSE OF MANKIND was broken on THE CROSS, with the
promise of an ETERNAL CROWN OF LIFE. JESUS died on that cursed cross to
redeem us with His precious blood, fill us with peace and joy and seal us
with eternal life. This is the essence and essential meaning of CHRISTMAS.


God bless you all and give you all success in your endeavours in the
coming year. 

Regards

David J.