BY: Paul Hanak, International Director
I just returned from Cambodia - a predominantly Buddhist nation. But in all the hotels and stores they had Christmas trees and other symbols celebrating the birth of Christ. Even many societies that have only a minority of Christians still recognize the tremendous impact of Christ on history!
Before departing for Cambodia, I was shopping here in Atlanta the first week of November, and already all the Christmas decorations were up. I used to think, “Why can’t they wait at least until after Thanksgiving to put up the Christmas displays.” Now, I have come to appreciate the fact that people celebrate the birth of Christ at any time of year, for whatever reason. It opens up opportunities to talk to them about the greatest gift God gave to the world – his only Son.
I am reminded of when I worked at the beach in North Carolina the summer after graduating from high school. I was not a Christian at that time, and a Christian group held some open air meetings on the beach in July that they called, “Christmas in July.” Even though I did not understand what it meant to have a relationship with Christ, it challenged me to think. A year later at the end of my freshman year at university, I bowed my head to ask Christ to take control of my life.
In this very busy season of parties and gift giving, I am thankful for the reminder wherever I go that Christ is alive and continues to seek a relationship with each and every person on this earth - whether in Cambodia where few know him, or in the USA, where stores use the season for commercial purposes. During this season, when Christ is brought to the attention of men and women, pray that God will use all of us who know him to help others take one more step closer to calling Him Lord.
“You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.” (Acts 10:36)
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