Celebrate the man

We . . . declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us. – 1 JOHN 1:2

A survey of visitors at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, revealed that many of the park’s guests under the age of 15 didn’t know that Walt Disney was a real person. They thought that "Disney" was just a company name. When corporate officials planned the celebrations commemorating the 100th anniversary of Walt Disney’s birth, they made a special effort to highlight the life and impact of the real man.

With Christmas still a few weeks away, it’s not too early to ponder how we can celebrate the Savior’s birth in a way that helps others know that Jesus lived on this earth as a real man. What can we do to communicate that a baby born in Bethlehem was the one and only Son of God who gave His life to save us from sin?

The apostle John, a companion of Jesus, taught that to live as a forgiven, trannsformed person is the best testimony we can give that Jesus was truly the Son of God, a real person. He wrote, "If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). And "He who loves his brother abides in the light" (2:10).

More than the gifts we give, it is how we live that will point to the reality of Christ this Christmas.

– DAVID McCASLAND

Putting it into practice

What does it mean to "walk in the light"?

Review these verses for insight:

Ephesians 5:8-10;

Colossians 3:12-15; James 3:17;

1 Peter 1:15-16.

READ: 1 John 1:1-10