Women's Ministry Newsletter

During this time of the year I have already watched repeats of the Hallmark Channel, Elf, The Christmas Story and many more. One of my favorites of all times is “It’s a wonderful life” with Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. In view of that I wondered, “What if Jesus Had Never Been Born?” I recently came across an article asking this very question. Here are excerpts….

Nathan Busenitz - December 20, 2018

co-pastor the Cornerstone fellowship group at Grace Church

In 1943, Philip Van Doren Stern wrote a short story called “The Greatest Gift.” He tried to get it published to no avail. So, he printed 200 copies himself and distributed them to friends and family members at Christmas time.

One of the booklets made its way to Hollywood, where it eventually fell into the right hands and was converted into a screenplay. The name of the project was changed to “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The film debuted in 1946 and is now a holiday classic. Stern’s short story was actually published a year earlier, but not as a book. It was released as a feature in Good Housekeeping magazine with the title, “The Man Who Was Never Born.”

The story is a familiar one, about a troubled man named George who is rescued by a theologically incorrect angel named Clarence. In an effort to earn his wings, Clarence shows George how terrible things would be in Bedford Falls if he had never been born.

Though the comparison is obviously inadequate, the title of Stern’s story raises an infinitely more important question when applied to the heart of Christmas. What if the Lord Jesus had never been born?

If Jesus had never been born, there would be no salvation from sin. 

If Christ had not come, His substitutionary atonement on the cross would never have taken place and thus there would be no forgiveness, no redemption, no justification, and no salvation.

It is not cliché to say that Jesus was born so that He could die. The glory of Christmas culminates in the suffering of Good Friday and the triumph of Easter. Jesus came to die. He came so that through His death, He might give life to everyone who believes in Him.

He is the perfect High Priest who is able to cleanse the sins of His people through His own sacrifice.

If Jesus had never been born, there would be no victory over death.

But as believers, we should not fear death because, as the Apostle Paul exclaims, “Death is swallowed up in victory.” (1 Cor 15:54). In Philippians 1:21, we’re reminded that to live is Christ and to die is gain.

We need not fear death because Jesus conquered death for all those who trust in Him.

If Jesus had never been born, there would be no victory over death. We would still be slaves to the fear of death. But because Jesus came, the hope of heaven has been given to all those who have placed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

If Jesus had never been born, there would be no mediator between God and man.

The only way there could be a true mediator between God and man is if that mediator were on equal footing with both parties involved. Christ alone can be that mediator because only He can relate to God as God and, because of His incarnation, to us as a human being.

Having experienced life on this earth for more than 30 years, the Lord Jesus Christ can relate to us as a sympathetic Savior. He knows what it is like to be tempted and to suffer. As a result, He can sympathize with our trials and troubles.

As Charles Spurgeon expressed, “Man became royal when Christ became human. Man was exalted when Christ was humiliated. Man may go up to God now that God has come down to man.”

The Reason for the Season

At Christmas time we remember Jesus’ birth, but He is not a baby lying in a manger anymore. No, He is seated in heaven at the right hand of the Father and He will return to this earth to judge the world in righteousness. If Jesus had never been born, we would have no salvation from sin, no victory over death, and no mediator between us and a holy, righteous, wrathful God. But because of the incarnation, we have grace, redemption, salvation, sanctification, and the hope of glory. We have a place in the family of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Take time this Christmas to reflect on worshipping the One who humbled Himself for our sakes, and who now sits exalted at the right hand of the Father.

FPC Rome Women’s Christmas Dinner

Come and enjoy fellowship, dinner, and a program to move us to celebrate anew the miraculous birth of our Savior and Lord. Join us at 6:00 PM in the King Hall on December 7th. 

We will have a special Christmas message by Joni Pittman and our special guest will be Haven Health Clinic. A special offering will be taken for Haven Health that night. We look forward to seeing you there! 

Reservations for dinner and nursery are due by noon on Monday, December 5th. Cost is $15 per person.

Lying in the dark, hearing the large truck pass by, I wondered if it could possibly be our garbage collectors at that early, early hour and immediately hoped we had taken our cans to the curb. I knew I had hit the point of no return once I was startled awake with responsibility. The thoughts were flooding as the opportunity for anymore sleep dried up like my chapped lips in the winter.

Don’t all our minds rumble with reminders? “I’m not doing enough as a mom. Which bill should I try to pay down the most? I need to find a way to bring in some more money for our family. Are the Christmas cookies for the school “swap” due today? I should be more on top of things like other moms. What was it he said in the sermon yesterday about motivation? I can’t really get motivated. What should I cook for Christmas Eve? God, please help my friend with cancer. I need to be a better friend. Have I marked anything off my Christmas list completely… decor, lights, presents? Should I go to the work Christmas party? Where should I send applications for college?” Sigh, Monday morning often begins with a bang unlike other mornings… way too early and burdened by the circumstances of life and the self-blame we might attach to them. Especially during the holiday season.

This time of year we might sarcastically ponder, “‘Oh Holy Night,’ not exactly! More like, Oh Sleepless Night.” Our to-do lists are twice as long while our time is cut in half. “Merry Christmas” becomes more of a “Martha Christmas” with us women buzzing around in an effort to accomplish many wonderful chores while we lose the wonder of Christ.

Jesus told Martha to settle down a bit and choose the best over the good. He instructed her this way because of His great love for her. He knew that while she (and while we) run around in preparations, she would lose the joy of focusing on the One who prepared the way for her. We will too. His love is calling.

HE came for us! God became a helpless, totally dependent baby, lived a life of suffering, endured shame, even though He was perfect. He did so for you and for me. He came to cleanse us from ALL sin and shame and prepare a way for us to know God personally!! Emmanuel, God with us. This is the best news!

Let’s choose the best together. Choosing a little time alone with God before we set out on our day. Choosing to set our minds on Him while our hands are busy. Casting all our concerns and cares on Him. Choosing to mention our Friend to others and tell them He is the friend that is closer than a brother.

This year, let’s choose a “Mary Christmas.”