Immanuel, God With Us
By Rev. Joseph Matossian

In the Palace of Rospigliosi in Rome, Italy, there is a famous painting by Reni called "The Aurora." This painting is on a high ceiling. Visitors often stand and look up at the painting until their necks get stiff and their heads grow dizzy. To relieve the strain, they lower their heads and eyes. To their surprise, in a broad mirror near the floor, they can see the picture, "The Aurora." The visitors can sit down and in comfort study the reflection of the picture in the mirror.

For many centuries, the people living in the days of the Old Testament searched to find what God is like. One day, the people suddenly discovered that God was among them! Jesus Christ, the Son of God, revealed God to people. When they saw Him feeding the hungry, healing the sick, stilling the tempest, raising the dead, comforting those in sorrow, and forgiving the sinners, they saw what God is like.

Therefore, let us realize that Christmas is the revelation of God's eternal and boundless love: a manifestation of God's likeness, and an ordination of God's scheme of salvation. Let us also remember that the ultimate purpose of God in the incarnation was not only to show us what He is like, but also to transform us into the same likeness from glory to glory. Jesus came to where we are, in order that we might rise to what He is!

Christmas is Good News, because in proclaiming that in spite of what we are, God loves us so much that He has provided a remedy for the ruin of sin. In spite of this joyous occasion, and no matter how much we enjoy the season and revel in its festivities, we will miss the greatest joy of Christmas until we discover for ourselves its true meaning.

The message is clear. God loved us so much, that He sent His Son to give forgiveness of sins and Eternal Life.

May I suggest that you invite Him into your life, so that your Christmas celebrations will be a legitimate and meaningful one.

         Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving Thoughts

By Berjouhi Ketenjian

Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name." (Psalm 100.4)

On this Thanksgiving day, let us walk by the lake of Galilee and imagine seeing in the sands the footprints of the Lord Jesus. Here and there were bloodstains, for His feet had been cut on the stones, and in the distance, we see a cross on a dark hill... Then I began to give thanks.

- I am thankful for a warm room. The Son of man had nowhere to lay His head.

- I have clear running water always at my disposal. He asked for a drink from a stranger at a wayside well. ÿ I am thankful for warm clothing. They gambled for His garment at the foot of the Cross.

- I am thankful for many faithful, loving friends. His friends forsook Him and His companions betrayed Him.

- I am thankful for joy, good times and laughter. He was acquainted with grief for me.

- I have the trust, love and prayers of my family. His brothers of the lonely savior did not believe in Him.

- I am thankful for health and work to do. I am thankful for a savior who "was wounded" and bruised.

Friends, most of all, this Thanksgiving I am thankful for the Lord Jesus who died on the cross and saved my soul. How about you? What are you thankful for? I hope that the answer is for the Lord Jesus Christ.

Have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving.

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