Our Greatest Need

I believe that America and the world stand on the threshold of divine judgment. Morally, socially, economically, politically, spiritually, we are in deep trouble. We’ve turned away from God, and every month seems to take us further away from the only One who can reverse the tide, forgive our sins, and forestall the imminent judgment. We must alter our course if we are going to see many more Christmas seasons.
We must re-order our priorities. We must re-make the unjust structures that have taken advantage of the powerless, and broken the hearts of the poor and the dispossessed. We all admit that we need more sweeping social reform, and in true repentance, we must determine to do something about it.
But even that, as good as it is, is not our greatest need. Our greatest need is a change in our hearts. That is why Jesus said in John 3:7, “You must be born again.” That’s why He said in Luke 13:3, “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” The apostle Paul, in his famous sermon at Mars Hill said, “God . . .commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world” (Acts 17:30-31).
Who should repent? Everybody. That is what the Cross calls for. The heart of its message is simple: repent and be saved — now and eternally.

“Christmas is a reminder from God Himself that we are not alone.”

“O come, O come, Emmanuel — And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here — Until the Son of God appear.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free — Thine own from Satan’s tyranny,
From depths of Hell Thy people save — And give them victory over the grave.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer — Our spirits by Thine advent here,
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night — And death’s dark shadows put to flight.

O come, Thou Key of David, come — And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high — And close the path to misery.

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might — Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai’s height,
In ancient times did’st give the Law — In cloud, and majesty and awe.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel — Shall come to Thee, O Israel.”

                                    -Latin, 12th Century-