The American Bible Society's 2008 Christmas Message: 'Christmas at Just the Right Time'
NEW YORK, Dec. 19 /Christian Newswire/ -- I recently heard a TV commentator announce, "Ready or not, Christmas is coming!" It almost was like he was announcing an oncoming train just before a dreaded collision. His tone suggested that Christmas was something to be avoided if at all possible. I think he was missing something significant.
Undoubtedly, Christmas brings with it a great deal of frantic activity, especially with our practices of gift purchasing and Christmas parties. Perhaps that is why many people experience depression or anxiety during this time of year. Too many others seem always to wish Christmas would come a little later, that they were better prepared for it, or that it would maybe not come at all. For me, Christmas always comes at just the right time. I love to see Christmas come and I'm sad to see it go.
The very first Christmas was right on time. The Bible says in Galatians 4.4, "But when the time was right, God sent his Son." The ashes had grown cold on religious altars, prophecies had been fulfilled on earth and preparation had been made in heaven. It was time for the world to be given a Savior, and at that precise time, God sent forth His Son.
According to the New Testament writer, Paul, God sent His Son "to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons" (Galatians 4.5). It is through this act of redemption that we are able to become the children of God.
And what better time than Christmas to be reminded of God's deep and life-changing love for us? As so many families here and around the world are wondering what tomorrow will bring, what better time to bring to mind the Christmas promises of God.
That is why we at the American Bible Society work everyday to bring the good news of God's Word to people across the world. As Henry Van Dyke wrote, "There is a better thing than the observance of Christmas day, and that is, keeping Christmas."
Christmas is coming just in time this year! If we can observe it for a day, why not for always!?
R. Lamar Vest
President Elect
The American Bible Society
About Dr. R. Lamar Vest
Dr. R. Lamar Vest is the newly elected President of the American Bible Society. He has been a long-term leader in the development and expansion of the Bible mission both here in the United States and around the world.
About the American Bible Society
Founded in 1816 and headquartered in the City of New York, the mission of the American Bible Society is to make the Bible available to every person in a language and format each can understand and afford, so that all people may experience its life-changing message. The American Bible Society's online destination is AmericanBible.org.
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