Matthew 2 vs: 13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

This happened over two thousand years ago. How much different is it today? There are those who still seek to destroy him. All of this time since his birth Satan and his minions have tried in vain to do away with Jesus. Yes, he was crucified BUT, he went willingly to pay for our sins. Even though they murdered him they did not win the victory for Jesus rose from the dead and brought forth victory over death and the grave.

We see today in California where the atheists got the rights to the areas where the Christmas manger scenes are normally displayed and have put up all sorts of anti biblical messages. Won't work. We see the Muslims trying to take over completely and defeat the authority of Jesus. Buddhists, Satanists and many others try to undermine the deity of Christ the Lord. Some give in to their lies. Still, Jesus rules. Once when Elvis Presley was the super star of rock and roll he was at an extremely large concert and a group of fans held up a huge sign that said "Elvis is King". The crowd roared. Elvis quieted them down and said no, there is but one King and that is Jesus Christ. A lot like to criticize Elvis and say he died a drug addict. Maybe so. Drugs took their toll. However, if he was truly saved, Jesus paid the price for it. If you research Elvis's life, his devotion to Jesus was strong. His band said almost every night after a concert Elvis would gather together friends and sing gospel songs sometimes all night long. Listen to him sing How Great Thou Art sometime and see if his heart was not into it. No matter how big he got he knew Jesus was King. This lowly babe came to deliver us who are nothing but sinners in our own right. He came to suffer and die a horrible death to free us from the bondage of evil. Think about it. By accepting him we are FREE. Forgiven. Bought and paid for by his actions. No amount of deceit, evil or lying can change that. Jesus Christ was the greatest gift the world has ever been given and so many try to destroy that. They will never succeed.

Our Preacher told a story yesterday of a little boy that was in a mall at Christmas time. There was a line backed up through and around the store of people waiting. The boy asked what they were waiting to see and a man answered Santa Claus. The boy asked, "where is the line to see Jesus"? How true this is.

With all of the beautiful lights and decorations this time of the year we must never forget what they are representing. They are there to help celebrate the birth of the greatest gift mankind has ever received. This one, marvelous wonderful gift was given to us for free by the Almighty Himself, and so many stand idly by while the world try to destroy it. Always keep Jesus in Christmas for this is what it is all about. A world lost in sin. Mankind given over to all forms of evil. Depravity of every variety run rampant. This one lowly babe came to erase that and all we need do is accept him for who he is. Christmas is a wonderful time and unfortunately it is also a sad time for many. Some are alone. Some have recently lost family members or did lose them at this time of the year. Some are lost in a world of alcohol and drug abuse. Others are caught up in homosexuality, bestiality, crime, depression, anxiety and other great gifts from Satan. All can find the answer in this one lowly babe who came so long ago to pay a debt he didn't owe so we can be free. This year, this Christmas, if you haven't accepted this gift from God do it. Forget the i-pods, big screen t.v.'s, fancy jewelry, and other trappings that promise to give you pleasure and accept the greatest gift off all time. That of a Savior who will give you freedom from sin and eternal life with him. To my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who saved me from an eternity in Hell, I say one more time.