A Movieguide® Christmas
Editor’s note: This article originally appeared Dec. 25, 2015.
Christmas is a season when some of the biggest movies of the year are released. It’s the time of year when retailers hope to sell more products in less time than any other season of the year. It’s a time when children think about gifts and parents plan family gatherings, but it’s MUCH MORE.
At the time Jesus was born, the Jews hoped for a Messiah who would cast off the Roman tyranny and establish a powerful Jewish state where Jewish law ruled. God had MUCH MORE in mind.
The Gospel of John opens with a description of the coming of the Light of the world. This was not just for Jews. Jesus came as God’s gift to all mankind. The gift God gave transformed the world and is still transforming the world today. It’s transforming Hollywood. It transformed Ted Baehr. It transforms many thousands of lives every day. People addicted to drugs or pornography are being transformed. Families eaten up with bitterness are being transformed. Addiction, hatred, anger, and depression can be washed away because God sent his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. This is what we celebrate on Christmas Day.
Without the transforming power of salvation, the United States would look more like some terrorist stronghold. The prosperity and civility we enjoy is made possible by the practice of Christian moral values – even by atheists – who live in America. It’s the breakdown of these values that brings what horror and despair we see in our culture. It’s a lack of the Light of the world.
Christmas is not just about the birth of a baby, however. It’s about the birth of a new Covenant with God. God sent Jesus Christ as the Light of the world. He did not just light Bethlehem. He did not just light Israel. He lit, and still lights, where you live today.
The Apostle John writes in John 1:9-14, “The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
At Movieguide®, we celebrate the coming of the light of the world. We don’t see Hollywood as a place to hate; we see it as a place to love and transform. We see it as a place in need of what God gave the world through Jesus Christ. We shout, “Joy to the World! The Lord is come.”
Jesus came to shed light where darkness reigns. He came to set free those captive to sin. He came to transform society from despair and depravity into hope and love.
Christmas is a time of GOOD NEWS, where we celebrate the birth of the Savior of mankind. We celebrate the establishment of a New Covenant where Jews and Gentiles can become children of God.
Join with us at Movieguide® this year in celebrating the coming of the True Light of the world. Rejoice in the predominately Christian culture that makes our neighborhoods safe and civil. Rejoice that God wants to share that Light, even today, wherever you see darkness.
The Savior of the world has been born.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
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