CHRISTMAS!

I was recently at a clinic accompanying a lady to visit her bedside Dress. While waiting I read the Scriptures to take advantage of the time. It is always good to carry a pocket New Testament for those times. As the wait was long, I got up and I walked around the room, a cozy first floor full of seats with eight office’s doors, with their names on them next to each door, double in this case, that of morning and evening turns for every doctor or nurse. I stand up and walked a little bit and sat in another place, near the entrance door, where was on a large flat screen TV with various functions. In this case apparently had a Christmas presentation.

With beautiful photographs where the first said:

Christmas is to look to the future with optimism.

The second: Christmas is being at home.
The third: Christmas is light.
The fourth: Christmas is love and peace to the world.
The fifth: Christmas is a song.
The sixth: Christmas is peace.

            And last of all the picture one of a Santa Claus.... And I seriously wondered if these people really knew what it means Christmas. Because if it is true that Christmas is all these things, they are also missing the point, for these things come as consequence of something wonderfully supernatural.

Christmas is celebrated by Christians in remembrance of the coming of Jesus into this world as the Savior and Redeemer of our sins. It is the most glorious celebration of a birth that has been ever on Earth which Christians extol because of the prophecies and the words of the angels to the shepherds near Bethlehem. Of the more notable prophecies that Isaiah have the 7:6 "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (God with us)" (see Matt. 1:21-23), and 9:6 "Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace" (see Luk.1: 32, 33). Besides the same prophecy over the village of his birth foretold by Micah 5:2 (see Matt. 2:5, 6), which is the answer that was given to Herod by the chief priests and scribes when he asked in response to the question of the wise men. And with these few verses more than over 300 prophecies that were fulfilled with the coming of Jesus Christ.

But if something showed the blessing of his coming was the appearance of the angel to the shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch by night over their flock. When the glory of the Lord shone around them they were terrified. "And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord." Indicating them where and how they would find Him, there appeared a multitude of the heavenly host saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men" (Luke 2:8-14). Extraordinary words from God to mankind for the birth of his blessed Son on earth.

Yes, man has something to celebrate at Christmas: the coming of his Savior to the earth. And it's okay to celebrate, and make gift exchanges, and give them hope with their children, but without forgetting the main thing that must be taught to all mankind is to acknowledge sin, repent, and accept the salvation that God offers us in His beloved Son, Who came to this world to die on the cross of Calvary to pay the price the justice of God required for our sins. This is the message of the Good News of Salvation.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012!

Prayer Meeting

            The past 18 and 19 of November I attend a prayer meeting at Iglesia Bautista el Faro, Alcala de Henares, Madrid. This little church is pastorate by Rev. Alejandro Sánchez, who bears a good ministry among the Alcarrians, being helped by the also pastor Pedro Torres. It is a 24 hours of prayer and preaching of the Word of God. The preacher invited was Dr. H. T. Spence, pastor and president of Foundations Bible College, who preached five outstanding sermons on the theme “Sanctification in times of iniquity”; based on I Tess. 4:7, 8 “For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his Holy Spirit.”

Many brethren came from different parts of the kingdom, like Oviedo, Valladolid, Malaga, Mataro, the same Madrid, and others cities that right now I do not remember, but all were well dispose to share prayers and have communion among us. 24 hours of learning about the Word of God, as well as 24 hours of talking about the Word of God. Every group enjoying their car’s trip both coming and going to be on time for Sunday services.

We are aware that this prayer time is a drop in the great ocean of iniquity in which we are moving trying to save and edify saints for and to our God and Savior Jesus Christ, but we are very thankful we were able to attend to this precious time.

By the way, I know this is not the only place Christians pray and hear the Word of God, and we are very thankful too for all those places and churches that move on this matter. This brief comment comes forth to acknowledge all the effort is made to have these prayer meetings. There is not better reward than to have the blessing of being partaker of Holy things of God. Thanks also for the hospitality receive at the El Faro’s church and her brethren.