For much of the year my thoughts lean toward politics, foreign policy, and economics. However, during this very special time of year my mind is preoccupied with far more important ideas. We have just celebrated the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the son of God. This is the most significant event in all of human history because it was through that sacrifice that every human being is cleansed from his or her sins and welcomed into God's family as a redeemed child.

I tell people that my favorite passage of the Bible is John 3:16 because it so perfectly summarizes the entire book. God, in his perfect wisdom, inspired John to give us His "Cliff's Notes" version in just a few, short, powerful words:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son. That all who believe in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

How marvelous and beautiful is that?!

As my wife and I were watching Charlton Heston in "The Ten Commandments" on television we marveled at how often we could see God's plan of salvation in that Old Testament story. When Joshua and the Jews were spreading lamb's blood onto their doorways so the angel of death would pass them by it was a direct reference to the future sacrifice that Jesus would make centuries later in history. The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. So, while the lamb's blood in the time of Moses saved the Jews from physical death, it is the sacrifice of Jesus Christ who saves us from our eternal death and His resurrection that we may also share with him in Heaven.

Do yourself a favor. Put down the doom and gloom newspaper for a few minutes and pick up the Holy Bible instead. This is a perfect time of year to truly meditate on the most important Good News in the history of mankind!