This was not the normal Christmas.  This year it was not as it should be.  I prepared months in advance for all the activities, gifts to make, places to go, decorations to put in place.  But, it was not as it should be.  Even days before Christmas, nothing was ready; the tree wasn’t up, the presents not wrapped, no gifts had been made, the decorations still waiting for their designated place.

Where is the Christ Child?  I looked at the various Nativity sets I had stored away, but God spoke to me that there would be no Nativity set this year. 

And then the shooting came of innocent children and I knew that this was the Christmas that truly never came.  The families of the children and people all across the United States and the world grieved with a loss irreplaceable.

Where is the Christ Child?

I begin to put away the decorations which finally were put in place.  I gather the ribbons and wrapping paper from this Christmas season which embraced the gifts in my home.  I blow out the candles from the meal which was meant to feed and nourish, but my soul is still empty.  I still grieve.  Something, SOMEONE is missing.

When will the Christ Child come?

Is He late?  Has He lost His way?  Does He not know when we celebrate His birth?  Or have we truly failed to celebrate the birth of the Christ Child?  Have we forgotten Him, His birth, His sacrifice, His life given for us?

The children gathered about their trees amidst their families and unwrapped their presents.  To them, it may have seemed like it was Christmas as usual, but Someone is truly missing and we must find Him and welcome Him to come . . .

I know for a fact that the tragedies will continue . . . I’ve been given “words” from God for more than 18 years now of the fall of this once great country.  There is a remedy.  There is a cure.  There is help available, but it only comes from one Source.

The churches invite you in and then filter you according to how you can contribute to their programs, wealth, prestige, etc.  They speak of “fun” and “entertainment,” “hot” women and “sexy” everything else.  Have they missed the Christ Child?  It proves, without one doubt, that they have never known Him.  And yet, they are to lead us to Righteousness?  It’s just like following The Snake to his place in Hell, but for most it will be too late to discover this fact.  Young people advertise their Christian beliefs through all forms of medium, but even that is laced with evil.

Will the Christ Child come?

Will He?

Will He return to this country which He fathered or will He keep His distance as all that is within us and around us swallows us up in evil?  What would cause Him to return?

A local church speaks of their progress with missional communities, helping their neighbors, “loving the least,” but when they are truly tested, they prove to be hate-filled, unrepentant, mockers of God, gossipers, liars, thieves.  They summon the police department to call / harass / threaten with arrest anyone who writes them questioning their beliefs and unchristian ways.

There is a movement across this country called “Multiply” to attempt to make disciples from those who go to church, and yet, they offer nothing new. They predispose the listener to believe that they have the secret, but the fact is, people don’t truly want to become disciples of Jesus Christ.  They want to be clones of their pastors and that is what they become as they read book after book that these pastor authors have written.

The church is not the answer.  The church of the United States does not welcome the Christ Child as He is, His Righteousness, Purity, Love and Life.

The Christ Child came to a young couple in a stable surrounded by the meek and lowly.  You will find Him when you seek Him with your whole heart.  You will find Him as He is.  You will find Him to be all that you need.

No, Christmas did not come to many in the United States this year.  The Christmas cradle was indeed empty.  Even as the days grow longer, the United States will be poured out onto “death” to reap all that it has sown and there will be many who flock to the churches for that one piece of positive inspiration to see them through another week, but friend, what you really need to do is get on your knees, bow your head, repent of your sins and rebellion to God and ask Him to come and abide with you.

Home will be hard to find in the coming days.  Money will be gone.  Churches and schools will close.  Those who you counted on for support will also be begging in the streets.  The wind of Judgment is beginning and we have surely brought it on ourselves.

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Father, I ask You to cleanse this country of all that is against Your Love and Holiness.  Humble this nation until they repent of their sins.  Bring the lofty ones down to the ground and remove their ability to control and coerce and influence the people.  Reign in Your Righteous Power.  Show us Salvation once more.  Make our hearts ready for the Christ Child.  Restore the desolate places.  Abide with us.

ISAIAH 54