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| THE RACE - ISSUE 48 |
December 2001 |
The Reason
Now, during the Christmas season, we celebrate the birth of Jesus, our
Savoir. “Jesus is the Reason for the Season” some post on cards and
banners. In Matthew 1:21, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph telling
him that the baby will be named JESUS (He will save His people from their
sins). Then in verse 23, Matthew quotes the prophet Isaiah (7:14), “Behold,
a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name
Immanuel (Emmanuel).”
“God is with us!” This declaration of confidence that the Eternal Sovereign
God of the Universe is abiding with us, loving us, knowing us is a central
message of the Bible.
But for millions around the world, trapped in cults & false religions, the
reality that God indeed came in the flesh (“And the Word became flesh, and
dwelt among us, . . . “ (John 1:14)) is a stumbling block- an
incomprehensible, an acceptable truth.
Even St. Augustine, the Algerian Church Father, had great difficulty with
“Emmanuel” before his conversion. Augustine wrote, “I was afraid to believe
him incarnate lest I had to believe him to be defiled by the flesh.”
(Confessions V.x. (20))
We who know Emmanuel and the richness of His fellowship sometimes take for
granted the awesome, world-changing truth of Christmas. God is not distant
and aloof. He does care intimately for each and all of us. And He
perfectly and uncorruptedly identifies with us.
During this Christmas season, please, remember the great treasure we have in
Emmanuel. And remember the millions in Algeria who are still enslaved to
the lie that Jesus is not “God with us”.
Oh, that this Christmas Christ would truly be born in their hearts!
The Algerian Team
therace@therace.ws
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