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It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Despite all that Christmas has become with its commercialism, greed, competition, etc., I still find it to be one of the most wonderful times of the year. When I pause to realize its real meaning; that God himself took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men, I find it goes beyond all human reasoning and understanding.

I recently read of Dr. Claude H. Barlow, a medical missionary to China. He was one of the most revered foreigners to work in that land who conducted research in an effort to find a remedy for a strange disease which was killing thousands of people. He studied the disease, filling a notebook with his observations. He got hold of a vial of these bacteria and sailed for the U.S. Before he arrived, he took the germs into his own body, then went to John Hopkins University Hospital to be observed.

Within a very short time he became very ill. He allowed his old professors at the hospital to use him for experimentation. A cure was found and a healthy Claude Barlow took it back to China. His efforts saved countless lives. When asked about it, Dr. Barlow replied, “Anyone would have done the same thing. I just happened to be in the position of advantage and had the chance to offer my body.

I doubt that just anyone would have done that, don’t you? Only a person with a special kind of love in his heart would make that kind of sacrifice – take that kind of risk.

Dr. Barlow’s story reminded me of one even greater who was also concerned about a certain disease. The terrible disease was called sin and worldwide it separated man from his Creator. At Christmas we celebrate this Savior who came to earth in the form of a child. As he grew he ministered acts of kindness, and then was crucified on a cruel cross. He who had no sin in him, took all sin on him. His sacrifice was the only cure for mankind. I Corinthians 15:3 says that “Christ died for our sins…” Let us remember him during this Christmas season. Isaiah prophesied of his coming in 9:6 saying, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” The angel who appeared to Joseph said, “And she (Mary) shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” May this one who took our disease upon himself so that we could be cured be real to you this Christmas.