Today is the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. We are in the midst of an important season of remembrance. A few months, on September 11, ago we remembered the 10th anniversary of the most deadly terrorist attack on our nation. That attack changed our nation and began what was dubbed as ‘the War on Terror’. December 7, 1941 is "a date which will live in infamy" as President Roosevelt used that phrase in the first line of his speech to the nation on the day after the Japanese attack on the naval base in Pearl Harbor. As you know that enemy attack led to our involvement in World War II. Both of these dates, 9/11 and December 7, 1941 will be remembered for the savage attack from an enemy that provoked a response that changed our world. Proper remembrance of these days is vital to move forward in appreciation for the sacrifice and response that allows us to remain free today and tomorrow.
We don’t often think of December 25 in the same manner but our reaction to that day of remembrance may be the most important response to the greatest terror attack from the greatest enemy or terrorist of all time. Satan is the enemy of all that is good and all that is of God. If he cannot win a victory over God or God’s children he will continually seek to rein terror and fear on our lives to keep us from experiencing the joy of abundant life that Jesus came to give us. Jesus makes all this clear in the familiar scripture of John 10: 10 where he tells us, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
Christmas is a season of giving, a season of joy, a season of celebration with friends and family but let us not forget that Christmas is a season of remembrance of our only hope against the greatest enemy and terrorist of all time. Without Christmas, the Word becoming flesh as Jesus entered history, we have no hope of overcoming the fear, punishment and terror of sin. Christmas, the coming of Jesus into this world provided hope, salvation, courage and freedom from the penalty of sin as we place our faith in Him and follow Him for forgiveness, abundant and eternal life. Without Christmas we have no human model for perfect love. His coming represented perfect love from God. His coming, life and sacrificial death illustrate perfect love for us to model and follow toward God and our fellowman. Without Christmas there is no power to change lives. The coming of Jesus, whose personal resurrection from death and giving of the Holy Spirit shows us there can be power within to make transformational changes in our lives. Without Christmas we miss the whole point of life. Proper remembrance of important days and historical events is vital to move forward in appreciation for the sacrifice and response that allows us to remain free today, tomorrow and in eternity. Let us remember the “reason for the season”.
