Have you ever really thought about your funeral?
Will your loved ones be sad? Will they have regrets? Or will it be a time of rejoicing and celebration?
I've been to two funerals in the past week. What a contrast!
The first one was an elder gentleman. Retired 26 years. Children grown. You knew it would happen sooner or later.
The other, a 42 year old mother of teens. The pastor's wife of a vibrant, growing, inner-city church.
The first, a small, quiet, somewhat subdued, somber event, with mournful tunes and printed readings.
The second, a worshipful, rejoicing event, as over 600 people clapped their hands and worshipped as choirs sang of the goodness and power of serving the Savior who came to earth some 2,000 years ago. The celebration of a short life lived to the fullest for Jesus Christ.
As we enter this Christmas season with its hustle and bustle, remember what we celebrate. Remember why we celebrate. We celebrate the birth of a little baby born in a stable. Born to save men's souls, to bring peace to all and to give eternal life. The angels called Him Wonderful, Counselor, the Prince of Peace and the Mighty God.
But His birth was not what sets men's souls free or gives eternal life. It was his death. He was born to die.
Ecclesiastes 7: 1 A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth. 2 It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting; for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.
Basically King Solomon was telling us: "The end truly is better that the beginning, and a funeral is better than a party!"
As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, let's keep in mind the real reason He came. He came to die, so that we might have eternal hope and peace in His salvation.
Will your loved ones be sad? Will they have regrets? Or will it be a time of rejoicing and celebration?
I've been to two funerals in the past week. What a contrast!
The first one was an elder gentleman. Retired 26 years. Children grown. You knew it would happen sooner or later.
The other, a 42 year old mother of teens. The pastor's wife of a vibrant, growing, inner-city church.
The first, a small, quiet, somewhat subdued, somber event, with mournful tunes and printed readings.
The second, a worshipful, rejoicing event, as over 600 people clapped their hands and worshipped as choirs sang of the goodness and power of serving the Savior who came to earth some 2,000 years ago. The celebration of a short life lived to the fullest for Jesus Christ.
As we enter this Christmas season with its hustle and bustle, remember what we celebrate. Remember why we celebrate. We celebrate the birth of a little baby born in a stable. Born to save men's souls, to bring peace to all and to give eternal life. The angels called Him Wonderful, Counselor, the Prince of Peace and the Mighty God.
But His birth was not what sets men's souls free or gives eternal life. It was his death. He was born to die.
Ecclesiastes 7: 1 A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth. 2 It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting; for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.
Basically King Solomon was telling us: "The end truly is better that the beginning, and a funeral is better than a party!"
As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, let's keep in mind the real reason He came. He came to die, so that we might have eternal hope and peace in His salvation.
