Another year has gone and the mystery of time again challenges us. Job said, “My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle” (Job 7:6); and as one looks backward it seems almost as if the years pass swifter than a weaver’s shuttle.

The origin of time: First, God created light (Gen. 1:3), and then He created measured time by dividing light into periods of day and night. In the first few verses of the Bible, we have the origin of measured time: “God called the light day, and the darkness he called night. And the evening and the morning were the first day” (Gen 1:5). The measuring of time: We measure time by clocks and watches. Since the dawn of history mankind has made an effort to measure time. Some of the earliest devices for measuring time are the sun dial (Isa. 38:8), the water clock, the sand hour glass, Babylonians and the stars, the Chinese and the burning rope. Another was the marked candle. But all timepieces, whether ancient or modern, tell out the same relentless story; time moves on for all of us, time will merge into eternity.

Let us consider some of the important lessons that “time” should teach us.

• Time never moves backward. It cannot be recalled.

We never get younger. The deeds we do and the words we say never can be recalled

• Time had a beginning and time will have an end.

God made time for man’s convenience. However, just as time began time will also end. When we read the book of Revelation which tells us how that God’s time and timing for man will come to an end, we should become more aware that God has given to us a period of time to be saved and to serve in His vineyard. Time has a beginning and an end for the individual and for mankind.

• Time will merge into eternity for all of us.

This is one of he most serious and solemn thoughts ever to occupy the mind of man; time will merge into eternity. Every day ends; every night ends; every week ends; every year end; and every life ends. We will all go into eternity. Someone said, “The only definition for eternity is eternity itself ”

• Time is measured; time is short, for all of us.

During the process of surrender by Japan in World War 11, Admiral Halsey sent a radio message to its leaders warning “Your time is short”. He was right. God also warns every unsaved person: “your time is short.” Time is also short for Christian service as well. Paul in 1 Cor. 7:29 warns us that time is short. We need to start early and stay steady and finish strong.

• Time and material things are closely associated, and will both pass away.

“ We look not at the things which are seen; for the things which are seen are temporal”—connected with time—“but the things which are not seen are eternal.” Where are we looking?

Many and most of us received “things” this season of the year that were temporal, especially for the children. However, did we put that much emphasis on the unseen or spiritual?

• We should remember the exhortation,”Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Eph. 5:16). The word “redeem” means to go into the market and buy up. Today is

the day of salvation and today is the time to serve our Lord and Savior.

• God is above time. God made time for man, not for Himself. “One day is with the Lord

as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day” (11Pet. 3:8). We live in time but the Lord Jesus lives in eternity therefore He can and will give eternal life to all who call upon Him. We live in time but let us give thoughts to eternity. Amen.

The beautiful story of a song that gave glory to God on a Christmas many years ago has been printed in a little tract entitled, “When Sankey sang the Shepherds Song on Christmas Eve.” We quote it herein full, because it gives honor and glory to the Christ of Bethlehem and the Christ of the Cross.

It happened that on Christmas Eve of the year 1875, Ira D. Sankey, to whom God had given wonderful power to sing the Gospel as he worked with Dwight L. Moody, was traveling by steamship up the Delaware River. It was a calm, starlit evening, and there were many passengers gathered on the deck. Mr. Sankey was asked to sing; and, as always, he was perfectly willing to do so. He stood there leaning against one of the great funnels of the boat, his eyes raised to the starry heavens in quiet prayer. It was his intention to sing a Christmas song, but somehow he was driven to sing “The Shepherd song”:

Savior, like a shepherd lead us:                                    Thou hast promised to receive us;
Much we need Thy tend’rest care;                                 Poor and sinful though we be;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us;                                 Thou hast mercy to relieve us,
For our use Thy folds prepare.                                      Grace to cleanse and power to free.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,                                        Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Thou hast bought us; thine we are.                               We will early turn to Thee.

We are Thine, do Thou befriend us;                              Early let us seek Thy favor
Be the Guardian of our way;                                          Early let us do Thy will,
Keep Thy flock; from sin defend us;                             Blessed Lord and only Savior,
Seek us when we go astray,                                          With Thy love our bosoms fill.
Hear, oh, hear us when we pray.                                   Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
                                                                                     Thou hast loved us, love us still.

There was a deep stillness. Words and melody, welling from the singer’s soul, floated out over the deck and the quiet river. Every heart was touched. After the song was ended, a man with a rough, weather-beaten face came up to Mr. Sankey and asked, “Did you ever serve in the Union Army?’

“Yes,” answered Mr. Sankey, “in the spring of 1860.” “Can you remember if you were doing picket duty on a bright moonlight night in 1862?” “Yes,” answered Mr. Sankey, very much surprised.

“So do I,” said the stranger; “but I was serving in the Confederate Army. When I saw you standing at your post, I thought to myself, that fellow will never get away from here alive. I raised my musket and took aim. I was standing in the shadow, completely concealed, while the full light of the moon was falling on you. At that instant, just as a moment ago, you raised your eyes to Heaven and began to sing, Music, especially song, has always had a wonderful power over me, and I took my finger off the trigger.

“Let him sing his song to the end, I said to myself. I can shoot him afterwards. He’s my victim at all events, and my bullet cannot miss him but the song you sang then was the song you sang just now. I heard the words perfectly,

We are Thine, do thou befriend us;
Be the Guardian of our way.

“Those words stirred up memories in my heart. I began to think of my childhood and my God-fearing mother. She had many, many times sung that song to me. But she died all too soon; otherwise, much in my life would no doubt have been different. When you had finished your song, it was impossible for me to take aim at you again. I thought, the Lord who is able to save that man from certain death must surely be great and mighty—and my arm of its own accord dropped limply at my side.

“Since that time I have wandered far; but when I saw you just now, standing there praying, as on that other occasion, I recognized you. Then my heart was wounded by your song. Now I wish you would help me find a cure for my sin-sick soul.”

Deeply moved, Mr. Sankey threw his arms about the man who in the days of the war had been his enemy. And this Christmas Eve the two went together to the manger in Bethlehem and to the Christ of the cross. There the stranger found Him who is the only Savior, the One of whom the angel and the prophets sang many centuries ago.

We are given 17 verses in Matthew chapter one of the genealogy of Christ beginning with Abraham. We are told that there was 14 generations times three equal to 42 generations. In these verses the word “begat” is listed 39 times but when we come to verse 16 it reads, “And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.” We are told here that Joseph is not the father of Jesus only that he was the husband of Mary. When we read of theses 42 generation no explanation is given to us because all of these were natural births. Verse 18 tells us “heads up” because this birth is so different that we must understand who this is and why He is coming.

“Now the birth of Jesus was on this wise.” Matthew chapters one and two and Luke chapters one and two give to us many vivid pictures to help explain to us the wonderful birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Maybe we should say that there are many parts of one great picture when placed together reveal the greatest story ever told. Perhaps the angels said it best when they spoke to the humble shepherds watching their sheep, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”

Shall we consider some of these parts of this wonderful picture? They not only make a beautiful mosaic when placed together but each story relating to His birth is a stand-alone truth in itself. Let us consider some of them and call them to you attention to pursues during the coming days of this season that we hold dear.

• Consider Joseph’s attitude. One would certainly think that this situation of a couple soon to be married would be a toxic revelation. Read and study how that God revealed His plan to Joseph. By the way, Joseph continued to follow the leading of the Lord to Egypt and Nazareth as well.

• Consider the Wise men. These Wise men came from afar after research and direction from the star that guided them to Jesus. Notice when they arrived that they worshiped Jesus and not Mary. They obeyed God and not Herod and returned another way.

• Consider the annunciation to Zacharias regarding the birth of his son John who was to be the fore runner of the Lord Jesus Christ. Pause for a moment and remember that God had not given a revelation for over 400 years. We call this the silent years between the Testaments. God is once again speaking to mankind. John was the son of Zacharias who stated, “Behold, the Lamb of God…”

• Consider the annunciation to Mary and Elizabeth. We sometimes call these by the word Magnificat. After both of these dear women were visited by the Lord, they both rejoiced and praise the God of heaven that they were chosen to reveal to the world that God would send the Savior into the world.

• Consider Simeon and Anna when Joseph and Mary came to present Jesus for His circumcision on the 8th day as was the custom of the law.

My challenge to you is to read and study these four chapter and consider each of these different stories that come together to present to us the Savior who came in the fullness of time and took upon himself flesh, the seed of Abraham, to reveal God to us as Hebrews chapter one relates to us. “For unto you is born this day…” The birth of Christ is for me, the birth of Christ is for you. Christmas is not just a season it is personal, “UNTO YOU”.