Over Two Thousand Years Ago…

by | Dec 25, 2018 | From James' Desk

Dear Friends,

This will be an exciting day for me! We’re celebrating the birth of our Lord with the family this afternoon—on Christmas Day! For a long time, this has not been possible for a whole host of reasons, but this year is different, and it just feels good! Soon, our five children, their spouses and six grandkids will be coming through the door. The smell of dinner will fill the air and the tree will have more presents than you can imagine. We are blessed beyond measure!

But why all the fuss? Two thousand years ago a baby was born, and His love still fills the hearts of people around the world! I have often meditated on excerpts from a 1926 sermon by Dr. James Allan Francis entitled, One Solitary Life.

“Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty. Then for three years He was an itinerant preacher.

 

He never owned a home. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a family. He never went to college. He never put His foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place He was born. He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but Himself…

 

While still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against him. His friends ran away. One of them denied Him. He was turned over to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves. While He was dying His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth – His coat. When He was dead, He was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend.

 

Nineteen long centuries have come and gone, and today He is a centerpiece of the human race and leader of the column of progress.

 

I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, all the navies that were ever built; all the parliaments that ever sat and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as has that one solitary life.”

Thank you, Father God, for the gift of your Son!

Merry Christmas everyone!!

James Muffett

James Muffett is the Founder and President of the Student Statesmanship Institute. Married to Margot since 1979 and a father of 5, his motivational speaking inspires and trains leaders for this and the next generation. James’ bucket list includes a visit to an SSI alum in the oval office.

 

Disclaimer: The views presented in this blog are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the position of the Student Statesmanship Institute. SSI is a non-profit educational organization and provides this blog as a platform for those who have been involved in our program to engage and share thoughts related to current events, issues of the day, and personal experiences, but does not necessarily endorse the content therein.