We need a little Christmas, now

The songs we sing at Christmastime and the Bible readings that tell of Christ’s birth proclaim “peace on earth” and “joy to the world.” The premise for that optimism is Christ Jesus Himself. His Gospel not only has the power to save us from the self-condemning sin we engage in regularly against God’s righteousness, but it also has the power to change us into more decent, loving human beings as the righteousness of Christ clothes us and becomes our standard for living.

Christmas should bring out the best in all of us Christ followers. Sadly, the past few weeks have exposed some of the most mean-spirited, division-promoting, character assassinations I’ve seen in local social media. We need a little Christmas, now!

As Christians, Christmas should be powerfully personal to us. We know that Christmas is about Jesus Christ who was born to seek and save, rescue and redeem! We know that the Babe whose birth we honor is the Savior who would willingly take upon Himself all our sin, guilt and judgment. Faith in that amazing gift of grace has changed, and is still changing, how we live our lives, and especially how we view and treat others.

I admit I don’t always act according to the values I now have for my new life in Christ, but the conviction of God’s Spirit within me reminds me to repent, ask for forgiveness and do better.

As one of the pastoral shepherds in Bella Vista, I’m asking all those who are the recipients of God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ to use every opportunity this Christmas season to walk and talk as those whose lives have been truly transformed by the Gospel of Christ. Debate, discuss and develop solutions in cooperation and humility. Avoid name calling, personal attacks and bullying. Let’s remember who we represent in everything we say and do. And let’s remember the command of our Lord and Savior to love as we have been loved, to forgive as we’ve been forgiven.

Bella Vista needs a little Christmas, now. We’d all like to sleep in heavenly peace.

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Mark Voll is pastor of the Village Bible Evangelical Free Church. Opinions expressed are those of the author.