The REAL Reason for the Season

George Washington Carver was often asked how he achieved so much from so little a peanut. His response was a witness to his wisdom and humanity. "Why, then, should we who believe in Christ be so surprised at what God can do with a willing man in a laboratory? Some things must be baffling to the critic who has never been born again." Simple words from a simple man. What God can do with a willing heart will continue to baffle unsaved people.

Our country is facing many problems and everyone is looking for a solution. We have politicians that no one respects or believes and judges who overrule the will of the people. It seems clear to me that we cannot govern ourselves very well. Maybe we should take the simple approach that George Washington Carver had - a personal relationship with God.

It sounds strange, but most Americans say they believe in God. Then why don't we act like it? This season is a perfect time to begin. This is not a time of songs or cheer, but should be a time of reflection and worship. Either God the Almighty was born of a virgin, suffered, died and rose, or we are all living a lie and are doomed in our sins. Why are so many Christians ashamed of the Gospel? We should be telling the stories everywhere we go and giving evidence of the hope that lies within us. Instead, we allow the world to tell us the real spirit of Christmas is giving, or an old man in a red suit.

History tells me that America was strongest when served by praying politicians and defended by men going into battle by faith. We can learn a lot from the faithful people in history. In their deepest depression, faith prevailed. It is that faith that builds nations and character. It is that faith that we have abandoned. We have changed the meaning of Christmas into a self-help program of selfish, helpless mankind. The very reason for the season was that we could not help ourselves. If we are singing about peace on Earth coming from man, it is only useless noise. If we are looking toward any other way, it is a waste of time. The TRUE meaning of Christmas is not about gift-giving - it's about a gift GIVEN.