By: Dennis Doughty I wish the world would celebrate the birth of Jesus the way it celebrates the birth of other men, by concentrating on His life, accomplishments, teachings, world influence and death, rather than the manger scene with three wise men and shepherds tending their flocks. People have made it all about “the baby Jesus” while ignoring the impact of the man He became. The truth is that the Scriptures give little emphasis to the birth of Jesus. Matthew records His birth to age 2 in just 20 verses. Luke likewise devotes only 20 verses to the Lord’s birth. The Gospel accounts of Mark and John make no mention of the event; there is no direct mention throughout the rest of the New Testament of the events surrounding the Christ’s birth. Instead, Jesus of Nazareth bursts upon the scene as a wise, charismatic, mature thirty-year-old, attracting large crowds with the hope He brought to their lives via His humble and devoted lifestyle, His teachings and His miraculous powers. Let us celebrate the life of Jesus Christ and the salvation His death gave to us all. I wish I could take the Christmas season and somehow change the emphasis from the manger to the cross; from three wise men to the three days in the tomb; from the annual Christmas service about His birth, to the weekly remembrance of His death.

There will be some interesting last days in our lives, such as the last day of high school or of college, the last day of work before retirement, the last day in a beloved home before moving away or the last day worshiping with a beloved group of Christians. Many of these last days will be filled with mixed emotions of sadness and joy, as well as with both loss and excitement. Jesus said to the crowds, “…Everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:40 NKJV). There is truly one great “last day” coming in our lives. It is the day “…the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10). On that day, Jesus promised those who come to Him that “…I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:44). Most of my last days are behind me, such as the last day of college and the last day of preaching full time. I have one more “last day” to which to look forward – day the Lord returns, including the last day of earth, moon and sky. It will be the “last day” when time ends and eternity with God begins. How many last days do you have behind you? Are you ready for that final “last day,” the day Jesus returns? [Guest

What doors will open for you in 2024? A new job opportunity perhaps? Or maybe the door will open to make that long awaited trip. Perhaps you will have the unexpected chance to scratch off another item on your bucket list. We all have improbable opportunities that present themselves in life. Some of these open doors can change our lives and even permit us to serve God. When Paul was in Troas, he was preparing to go into Asia, but in a vision, he saw a man in Macedonia saying, “…Come over to Macedonia and help us” (Acts 16:9 NKJV). So, Paul traveled to Macedonia and went to Philippi. Paul later told the Corinthians that in Philippi “a door was opened to me by the Lord” (2 Corinthians 2:12). What door? First, he met Lydia during a prayer meeting down by the river and baptized her, along with all her household. Next, doors were really opened in the prison, which led to the conversion of the Roman jailer and his household (Acts 16). God accomplishes His will by opening the doors of opportunity through which we can walk. We might call it providence, happenstance or just dumb luck. In truth, it is God working in our lives, directing us through the opportunities He presents to us. “Chance,” Anatole France said, “is the pseudonym of God when He did not want to sign.” How will God direct your life this year? What doors will He open for you? Are you ready

During the California gold rush, two miners hit it big in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. In 1859, one of the miners, W. W. Bodie, died in a snowstorm, but his partner continued on. By the 1870’s, Bodie, California had become a boom town of over 10,000 residents. During this time, the town boasted of having 65 saloons and no churches. By the mid-1880’s, the gold was mostly gone, as were the people. Bodie closed in 1932 and is now a famous ghost town toured by many visitors. In many ways, our nation is duplicating the history of Bodie. We discovered the gold of democracy and religious freedom, growing into a strong, materially blessed, deeply religious people. However, our “gold” is fast disappearing. Democracy has given way to worldliness, and our spiritual beliefs have vanished like the gold of Bodie. Our church buildings sit mostly empty or with their doors closed while casinos, saloons, sports stadiums and concert halls fill to overflowing. Job argued to his friends, “If I have put my confidence in gold… I would have denied God above” (Job 31:24, 28 NASB). While our nation is denying God, the America I grew up in is fast becoming a ghost town.