Mom and Dad found Sherwood sitting at his school desk in his room with the big- gest book they had ever seen him bring home from the library. They couldn’t believe he’d be interested in a book that large. He didn’t hate to read, but he’d always pre- ferred to be doing something else. They asked him, “What on earth is that book? He held it up for them to see that it
was a Webster’s Dictionary. Dad laughed and asked, “Are you going to read the whole thing?” Sherwood said he had no time to read that many words, he only wanted to look up just one word. So Dad naturally asked which word? To his surprise, Sherwood said, “Christianity.” “Why Christianity,” Mom asked. Sherwood told them that a group of his classmates had been talking about what
they did over the weekend and every one of them had gone to church Sunday morn- ing. But no two had gone to the same church. Some of them were Baptists, some were Methodists, a few were Presbyterians and one was even Episcopalian. “That’s a good group to hang around with,” said Dad. “But why does that make you
“Well”, said Sherwood, “we all go to different churches, but why is that? It seems to me that maybe there ought to be just one
Church, cause there’s only one Christ”. His Dad said, “That’s a really hard question to answer, but let me tell you how I look at it. It’s like a group of people standing
most important. Some say the leaves are. Some say no, it’s the limbs that are most important. They don’t agree about what they think is most important, but they all agree it’s a tree. Churches are like that. They don’t always agree what’s most important about what you believe, but they all agree there’s only one Christ.”
By Mary Drew Bult With Illustrations by Anna Campbell Bult “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and
it gives light to all the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14-16
HAPPY HOLIDAYS! I am not ashamed to admit that I have been looking forward to the Christmas season for months now. After all, who
doesn’t love to gather with family for a scrumptious dinner, to wrap and to receive gifts, or to gaze dreamily at the twinkling lights of a Christmas tree? I certainly enjoy every minute of Christmastime. Unfortunately, sometimes I tend not to dwell enough on the most joyful part of Christmas! Remember: Christmas is all about Jesus! Jesus is God’s Son, and He is the most important person you could ever know. On Christmas, we
celebrate Jesus coming to earth. He, the King of kings, was born into a humble family in a humble stable – born to bring light into a dark, sinful world. You can read the story in Luke 2. Jesus brought hope for His people. Through His death on the cross and His resurrection, those who be- lieve in Him have the assurance of salvation! As Christians, we no longer have to walk in darkness (sin). We don’t have to endure the eternal pun- ishment which every sin deserves. Instead, because of Jesus, we can have everlasting life! Our true home is with Him in Heaven, where darkness We must let this light shine brightly as we go about each day. What a wonderful thing it is to be a Christian: a member of God’s chosen people! Sadly, the world is still a dark place. Sin surrounds us all the time. Sometimes, it seems that the darkness is too powerful. When you start to feel that way, look to Jesus! Remember what He has done for you and the hope He has given you! Remember these words
from 1 John 4:4: “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is
in the world.” Pray, asking the Holy Spirit to strengthen you. Then go out and let your light shine! Be full of the joy of the
Lord! Seek to glorify Him in all that you do. Share the Good News of the Gospel with those around you. And don’t forget to thank God for His incredible gift to us: His only Son, Jesus Christ, the light of the world. May your heart be full of hope and joy – not only this holiday season, but in the months and years to come. - ness, but will have the light of life.’” – John 8:12
16 The Associate Reformed Presbyterian
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