Continuing the dialogue.....
Jubilee!
Dear Friend,
As a theater ministry, Acacia seeks to offer high quality theater, which affords the opportunity to view one's life in relationship to the fullness of God's truth. We pray that our shows offer an occasion for thanksgiving, growth, enjoyment and understanding. Without detracting from the theater experience, which we hope you enjoyed, and obviously without foreknowledge of topics dealt with in the "Talk Back," we would like to continue the dialogue by sharing some of the thoughts that the board of directors discussed after reading this play.
Here we are in the midst of the holiday season, some are feeling overwhelmed, over-worked or over-tired. It becomes quite easy to forget what the season is about. It’s often easier to face having to give gifts, than to acknowledge the gifts we have received from our Father God. For if we begin to focus on that, what else do we have to focus on?
The Father’s Christmas “gift” of Jesus Christ is more precious and costly than any gift humanity can imagine. It is priceless. But that gift entails much more than the birth of a baby. Babies are born every day. There is, of course, a miracle inherent in this process, and God is very involved. But still, birth is not the miracle of which Christmas speaks.
Rather, Christmas offers God’s Gift of divine forgiveness--a concept that mankind has had difficulty accepting since the beginning of time.
“The man and the woman heard the sound of Yahweh God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from Him among the trees in the garden.” Gen. 3:8
Why did they hide? Because they were afraid that they would not be forgiven for their disobedience. They could not imagine that God would not spare them. But God had mercy on them and sent them into the world.
People have since that time hidden from God and have been afraid of His messages and greetings. That is, until a young woman in a small country heard the message that she would have God’s son. Mary was afraid, but she responded with courage, answering
“You see before you the Lord’s servant, let it happen to me as you have said.” Luke 1:38
The message then went out to everyone; angels appeared and delivered God’s Word. These words can benefit all of us, especially in this day and age:
“Do not be afraid! Look, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by all people. Today in the city of David a Saviour has been born to you and he is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11
The Savior: someone who is our restoration to God. Someone who died for our sins, though blameless Himself. Someone who is a gift from God. Not only in His time, but for our time. A gift that daily gives, whether we are paying attention or not. A gift we can never repay fully, but that asks only that we return love in kind.
During this season of giving, perhaps we can remember to give thanks for what we have received. Open a Gospel, read the story for yourself, for your children… And remember how we received the greatest gift ever given.
May God bless and keep you all this season and through out the year.
Sincerely,
Board of Directors
Acacia Theatre Company
