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by Buzz Dahlen By now, you have most likely seen parts of three or four, “It’s a wonderful life” showings. I am not sure that I have ever sat through the whole movie, but am pretty sure that I have collectively seen the whole movie over the years. It’s is a classic to be sure. George Bailey, the Savings and Loan, Bedford Falls, And “dance by the light of the moon.” I cry every time I watch it. George gets to that place where many of have been at some time or another, “I wish I had never been born!” That’s a low spot in the road of life, circumstances piling up on top of us, nothing turning out right, everything going wrong, flat on your back, down on your luck, everything looks bleak, no place to turn, all alone… Wait a minute; this is supposed to be a Merry Christmas message. Well it is. The Christmas message is never more merrier then when you are at your lowest. George was giving a glimpse of what life would have been like for the people he cared about if he had never been born. Remember, Harry would have drowned when he fell through the ice, hundreds of soldiers would have been killed because Harry wouldn’t have been there to save the day. The Pharmacist would have been sent to jail for giving out the wrong prescription. Mr. & Mrs. Feeney would not have been able to move into their own home and on and on. When you stop to think about it, one life does touch so many other lives… This past week I started to think, “What would life be like if Jesus had never been born?” The obvious change would be that there would be no Christmas. Nope we would have nothing to celebrate during this time of year except the solstice, and a bunch more pagan festival days. Then there is the fact that we would not be celebrating Easter either. No, birth… no death. No death… no resurrection. No resurrection… well now we get into some serious changes. If Jesus had never been born, He could never have died for our sins. If Jesus never died then we are not forgiven… without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. Hebrews 9:22 If Jesus did not die then there was no resurrection… And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men… 1 Corinthians 15:17-19 Thank God, that Jesus was born and He lived here on earth and walk among men, and taught us the truth and showed us how to live and enjoy a relationship with God. Thank God that He loved us so much that He gave His Son to die on the cross, to pay for our sins and allow us to be forgiven. Thank God for raising Jesus from the dead and making a way for us to have life, eternal life, in Him. … But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 1 Corinthians 15:20-21 We have so much to be merry about, because Jesus was born. Merry Christmas everyone! For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 |
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