It seems like only yesterday we were planning for a New Year’s party celebrating the entrance of 2006. And now here we are waiting the dawning of 2007. Time rapidly passes into its own history and carries us along for the ride. 2006 has been a fast tract and is soon to be no more!

I’m sure thousands of individuals are preparing their New Year resolutions. Most are, of course, personal promises destined to be broken promises. Those who dabble in future predictions are spewing out their "guesses" for 2007. And of course, millions of people have plans for seeing the new year come in at various types of parties.

But in reality, nothing significant really changes when a new calendar is hung on the wall or placed on the desk. Debts won’t vanish. Sickness and heavy hearts will follow sufferers into the new year. Negative attitudes won’t be changed overnight. The sky above will look exactly on January 1^st at 12:01 am as it did at 11:59 pm on December 31^st.

Psychologically, a change of the calendar might help persons reach out with hope that things will magically change for the better. But truth is, weapons for mass destruction are still being planned by dangerous nations. People are still dying in war torn Iraq. Iran hasn’t gone away. The ranks of theorist hasn’t diminished. Perverted ideas of marriage and the sacredness of life are continuing to be promoted while Christians remain under persecution around the world.

Perhaps you turned to today’s devotion in search of an encouraging word for the year ahead. But an emotional uplift is needed less than is a reality check. Thus, instead of writing a pep talk on how wonderful the new year is going to be for everyone, I want to share some specific truths that will for sure be a part of this new year.

One truth to remember is that the old rugged cross still makes the difference in an individual’s life. When looking for methods and written ideals to help guide individuals into new areas of living experiences, the cross and the change which can take place in a sinner’s life is unsurpassed. One’s experience with the Christ of Calvary can change the life of the drunk, of the prostitute, and the abortionist, of the gambler, of the gossiper, of the murderer, and anyone else who will come to Him by faith.

With the thought from above in mind, we are reminded that following us into the new year will be the truth of the condemned sinful heart. The Bible teaches that no one is without guilt. For "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Ro. 3:23). And John writes in his gospel that "he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God" (3:18). An individual doesn’t have to wait until there is conviction of sin and refusal of repentance in order to be lost. No! By nature, we are all conceived in sin.

The final reminder of things which shall follow us all into a new year is the fact that our world is heading toward its end. Peggy and I were riding to Natchez some time back. Upon contemplating that January of 2007 she would catch up with my age of 70. Then she said, "Do you realize that we have lived half our lives already?"

I said nothing for a moment. Then I asked her to rethink her statement. I reminded her we weren’t experiencing the half way mark, we were walking down Sunset Blvd. And that’s the way this world is, its end seems to be nearing.

The year 2007 should be the year when believers are silent no longer. Let us reach out to the troubled in sin and at least offer them hope.

The hillside air was crisp, the stars twinkled with excitement, the sheep lay nearby, and the shepherds slept away the night. For them, life followed its usual pattern and the future only promised more of the same.

Without prior announcement, with no fanfare, an angle appeared from nowhere! The night suddenly became aglow with the angel’s brilliance. The shepherds were awakened in fear. Never had there been such a sight to greet their eyes. The Bible says they were "terrified". Then came a message of hope delivered by this heavenly messenger. "Do not be afraid", said the angel, "I bring you good news of great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord". The angel proceeded to give instructions so they could find this baby.

Then! The heavens became filled with a host of heavenly angels. As they appeared they were saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased" (Lk. 2:14). To those lowly shepherds, who were on the bottom level of human society, this was a message of hope the likes of which they had never dreamed. Perhaps in their lifetime peace would come to the world and raise their status in life.

Secular society has applied that message to the Christmas season. They believe this "man of peace" who lived nearly two thousand years ago, will one day wave a magic wand and world peace will suddenly evolve. The true meaning of the Savior’s peace isn’t understood nor has it ever been realized by the secular society.

What can this peace, so brilliantly flashed across this Judean hillside, really mean? It can’t mean the world was about to experience a cessation of all hostilities because thousands of wars have since been fought. The evil heart of mankind continues to invent evil devices to lure individuals into sinful traps. And enmity between people has never ceased nor been more pronounced than it is today. So, what is the peace of which the angels declared that cool evening?

It is a message with a two-fold meaning. It first touches the human heart and second it refers to a future day when there will be peace upon the earth when the Prince of Peace rules in a perfect peace.

The world has missed it altogether. It wants the peace without the Prince. It wants the joy without the Jesus. It wants the blessings of the Christmas season without the Blesser Who provides. The world desires all the Christmas spirit has provided through the prayers and commitments of God’s people without the intolerant Jesus who preached that He is the only way to Heaven. The world has missed the real meaning of peace and still does in 2006.

The angel’s message of peace pointed to the heart of lost mankind. Perhaps the shepherds, who were often called upon to select out the best lamb for sacrifice would understand that this baby was God’s perfect Lamb. By the end of the Child’s life time ministry, death, and resurrection, people could understand faith and salvation. Peace in the heart mens that one’s victory over the power of sin’s condemnation is secured at the cross.

For some the sounds of Christmas will include small children playing and laughter around a table laid with great foods. For others the sounds of Christmas will come from memories long years ago laid up for such a time as this. Wherever this Christmas finds you, I pray that the real meaning of the message of peace will fill your mind.

Merry Christmas 2006 to you all from the Jackson home!

Music seems these days to filter through the airways everywhere one travels. It is pumped through speakers in malls and other business establishments. It blasts out from vehicles being driven down the streets. MP3 players are now favorite music boxes with youngsters who desires music 24-7. Music stirs the emotions of those who listen.

Churches and Christians utilize music to express praise and gratitude to God the Father. In his letter, James wrote, "Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises"(5:13). At the conclusion of the Last Supper, Jesus and His disciples sang songs before departing for the Mount of Olives and then Calvary. David admonishes us to "sing praise to God, sing praise; sing praises to our King, sing praises! Sing a song of instruction, for God is King of all the earth" (Ps. 47:6-7).

So the sweet, and sometimes not so sweet, breeze of music moves gently throughout our lives. It is found often on the pages of God’s Word. It is an important part of everyone’s life.

My interest is in music which expresses the Christian faith. And this is where there is much debate among church folk. Much of the disagreement is found simply in individual taste.

Some churches use no musical instruments at all in their worship services. Others utilize every instrument which has ever been invented. When blended properly, the result can be a soul stirring experience of praise to God.

Recently I attended a men’s Brotherhood rally at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Amite County. Dogwood Cross, a Blue Grass Gospel Band, was the invited guest. They used nothing but stringed instruments. Our Religion Editor, Earnest Herndon, plays a couple of the instruments. I noted that he was the only one of the group which did not sing. I was disappointed because I wanted to hear him. But! Although he didn’t sing, let me tell you he played a mean fiddle (or was it a violin?). Their music inspired everyone present and presented the good news of Jesus Christ by blending different songs into one central message.

I favor a variety of Christian music styles. On occasions I listen to contemporary music which recounts stirring events of our Lord’s life. Mass choirs with full orchestration is another favorite musical presentation. Duets, trios, quartets, and other groups will join together from time to time with soul stirring songs. I like the ones with what I call the "big, full ending". That stirs my soul.

There is some criteria with which I measure the songs that I think are appropriate for the worship service. And not every song sung in our churches fills the bill for me!

The first criteria is the message of the song. Of course that message must be to praise the Lord and to glorify Him. I’ve never understood why some couples will select some country song which has nothing to do with the Christian faith to be played at their wedding which should be a worship experience. I’ve faced this problem only a couple of times.

The second criteria is the messenger of the song. While hearing the words and listening to the music of the song, my mind is also upon the lifestyle of the singer. Would you like to hear sermons by preachers whose lives are lived outside the will of God? I doubt it! The messenger of the song of Godly praise must come from a life lived Godly.

The third criteria is the method of the song. That is, how it is presented. Any instrument can be utilized in presenting the gospel. It’s not the instrument, it’s how that instrument is played. If the message can’t be heard, then the method of presentation, in my estimation, is wrong.

Music which presents the birth of Jesus helps us get in the real spirit of Christmas. Enjoy it. It’s everywhere this time of the year.