CURRENT RADIO SERIES Songs for the Savior CURRENT TV SERIES Songs for the Savior

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures … 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 Our world has spent the past month going through a whirlwind of consumerism mixed with religion and a dash of spirituality when appropriate. Now that we’re just a few days from December 25th, let’s try to answer this question: What is the meaning of the Christmas season? If you asked 20 people on the street this question, you’d probably get 20 answers. Some might say, “Peace on earth, goodwill to men.” Others might answer, “It’s about being with those you love.” Now there’s a lot of truth in both of those answers, but they’re really both inadequate because they miss the main point: Jesus. So I want to give you what I believe the Bible says is the real meaning of this season: In Jesus Christ, our greatest need is exposed; and in Jesus Christ, God’s greatest deed is disclosed. He came for us, He died for us, and He rose again for us. If we can start living our lives in light of this key truth, we can have Christmas in our hearts year round. So start living today with a new awareness of what Christ did for you by coming into the world! God with Us by Dr. Paul Chappell “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Matthew 1:21–23 Dr. Lee Roberson told the story of a little boy whose mother died unexpectedly. He was too young to understand everything about death and Heaven, but he knew that his mother was gone. After the funeral, father and son returned home. When it was time for bed, the little boy asked to sleep with his father. But even that proved scant comfort when the lights were turned off. Through the darkness his soft voice whispered, “Daddy, is your face turned toward me?” All of us have an empty place in our hearts that only God can fill. No amount of success, money, fame, accomplishment or earthly love can supply the need only God can meet. And so often in the darkness when no one else can hear, we ask if God sees us and knows the burdens that we are carrying. Jesus is the answer to that question—and the answer is YES! God sees and knows every burden and heartache that we feel. Yet so many times we do not feel a real sense of God’s presence and care in our lives. That is because of the effects of sin. Jesus came into the world to bridge the divide that had existed between God and man since Adam and Eve’s sin in the Garden of Eden. We do not serve a distant God who is far off and hard to reach. We serve a God who is present with us, and who accepts us into His family through the blood of His Son Jesus. Today’s Growth Principle:  Through the coming of Jesus into the world, the gap between us and God has been filled.