Christmas is Coming

4 page attractively presented tracts expressing simply and clearly the gospel message relative to Christmas. Wording of Tract Christmas....the word that sends children into raptures of excitement and brings a weary sigh to every adult. We all know the work that goes into Christmas time. The hours of preparation, the days of shopping, the nights spent thinking of the perfect present and endless evenings of wrapping parcels and writing Christmas cards. All this takes place weeks before the day even arrives and then a different sort of preparation begins. There’s presents to unwrap, mountains of rubbish to dispose of, instructions to read, a table to set, turkey to stuff, vegetables to cook, potatoes to roast…and so the list goes on! It’s no wonder that the children get more excited about it than we do! I’m sure though we will all agree that although “the most wonderful time of the year” can cause many a headache, once everything is organised and the preparations are complete we all enjoy the time with our families. Of course we all know that Christmas is really about the birth and coming into the world of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. However are we aware that one day He will return and take all those who are Christians to Heaven with Him? “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven…and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up…to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” 1 Thess 4.16,17. When we prepare for Christmas we all know when it takes place, so every year we work to the same date; however no one knows when the return of Jesus Christ will be. “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” John 14.3. The Bible advises us to prepare for that date right now. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” 2 Cor 6.2. As we are, we are not ready for the day when Christ will return - we need to have our sins forgiven. All in the world are affected by sin, we are all sinners. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” Rom 3.23. Due to this sin we cannot get to heaven. Sin separates us from God. This is the reason that God sent his Son into the world. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” 1 Tim 1.15. Yet God in his love for us has given His Son to suffer and die on the cross at Calvary so we can be free from our sin and be prepared for that day when Jesus Christ will come again. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” John 3.16. As we prepare for this year’s Christmas, let us take a moment to consider the person of Jesus Christ – His birth, death, resurrection AND His return and just make sure we are ready to meet HIM! “Prepare to meet thy God” Amos 4.12. Graeme Paterson