FROM THE PULPIT: FISHING FOR LIFE?

Once a woman was fishing on the beach. She baited her hook and cast it into the sea. Presently a shark took the bait, and as sharks do, took it with vigor. The woman was enraged; she was not fishing for shark! So she picked up a boat oar and beat the shark to death! (Perhaps she should have been called to the resort in "Jaws," the crisis might have been solved quicker). When I first saw this story, I thought, "Now there's a story Dave Barry could use." But procrastination set in, and the story didn't get sent.

I didn't forget the story, however, and I began to think of it in other terms. For example, this shark story is a little like people who receive (return?) unwanted gifts at Christmastime. And how is that?

The woman who beat the shark to death was not reported to have eaten the shark. I don't remember what kind of fish she was hoping to catch, but I can tell you, shark is good eating! My friends and I were building a boathouse in Pensacola while some of our kids set a fishing net in the bay. They first caught a ray, which they decided to cut up for bait. Soon after this, they caught four young sharks, from 2-4 feet in length. Was that what they wanted to catch? Not really, but I can tell you, the shark fry (and bake and barbecue!) we had that night was one of the tastiest, most memorable meals I've ever had!

Are we so caught up with all our gifts at Christmas that we reject the real gift of Christmas, who is Jesus Christ, the Lord? We may be intent on receiving that TV, those clothes,, those golf clubs, the Pokemon or Furby toys, or whatever that we forget that Christmas is more about giving. Or maybe we don't care what we get; we can exchange it for what we really want the next day. I read of a young man who bought a bunch of clothes for his wife, not knowing or caring what her size was, because, "She just wants to know how much I spent on her."

Are we aware of what God spent on us? He gave up his place in heaven to become one of us, and not only to become one of us but to suffer and die at our hands. By his life, his suffering and death, his resurrection from the dead, he paid the price for our sin and gave to us eternal life. "The Word became flesh, and lived among us." (John 1:14) If All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." (Rom.3:23) The angel told Joseph, "She will bear a son, and will call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sin." (Mt.1:21) Even his name means "Savior.

We may not think about life after death often. We may not be much interested in religion. But sooner or later, we will all die, and we must give account of our lives to God, who created us. What will we say? Was Jesus "a keeper" for us? Or did we disregard him? He is the great gift of Christmas. He is the gift that truly keeps on giving, for He offers us eternal life. "To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." (John 1:12) Jesus is the gift of God -- for you. Receive him today.