Greetings, dear ones, and as the saying goes, “Merry Christmas!” Of course there are many people that customarily offer this annual holiday salutation with good cheer in which we acknowledge and accept most appreciatively. However, one might ask the question, “Do you understand and believe what the reason for this and every other season truly is?” For the unenlightened and/or the skeptical, I most heartily and joyfully proclaim that the reason for all seasons is the love that almighty God has for us and His desire that we be freed from the bondage of sin. Because of this sacred, consecrated and unconditional love that God alone gives, He sent His only begotten Son to this evil and wretched planet to bear the guilt for all of mankind’s misdeeds. And bearing that guilt meant Jesus had to suffer and die in our place that we might escape the clutches and pain of death. His love is so incredible and indescribable, who could envision that while we were cemented in corruption and drowning in depravity, and when we least deserved it, our Father in heaven sent His Holy One to offer up His life to deliver us from destruction. “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5: 8) And by that incomparable sacrifice of Jesus, the wall of separation that existed between us and God has been obliterated and we can now walk in the newness of life, having moved into a new realm of spiritual existence because we have become one with Him. “For in Him we live, and move, and have our being...” (Acts 17: 28)
But before He could die, Jesus had to be born. And when He was born, Jesus became everything we needed for life, for godliness, for redemption and for salvation. “According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Peter 1: 3-4) Jesus was, and still is, God’s holy answer to all of the world’s problems, and before the world was created He was destined to occupy the seat of all power and authority. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever.” (Isaiah 9: 6) Even conquering and defeating death itself. “But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” (2 Timothy 1: 10)
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: At precisely the right time, God’s grace sprang into action as the power of the Holy Ghost overshadowed a virgin named Mary, conceiving in her what would be called The Son of God. Then, born and laid in a manger, the humble beginnings of our Lord and Savior were not visually indicative of what was truly the magnificent and majestic emergence of the Eternal King of kings. But it did initiate a heavenly celebration that even spilled over into our physical world.
Just think how magnificent must have been that glorious day when the angels of heaven celebrated the coming of the righteous and everlasting Monarch of Mercy. Imagine how they joyfully proclaimed the arrival of Jesus Christ which was the good news all of creation had been waiting to hear since the beginning of time. And to those humble but highly favored shepherds who were at work caring for their animals, being given the divine privilege of hearing the breaking newsflash that the much anticipated and long awaited Messiah had come to planet Earth, no doubt had to be simply stunning! “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Luke 2: 8-14)
And what a night it was! That beautiful, holy night in which the Savior of all mankind was born was an event to surpass all previous events throughout history. But for all of its grand majesty and spectacular splendor, coupled with the heavenly harmonies voiced by the angelic choir and the brilliance emanating from the radiant night star guiding the wise men from the east, it was a night of peace and comfort and relief. It was a quiet storm percolating in a small Jewish town, a humble hurricane ready to unleash untold power upon a lost world, a serene tsunami that rolled in as the glory of God’s blessed tranquility was on full display lying in a manger. It was the starting point for Jesus to begin His earthly journey which would undisputedly turn out to be the greatest story ever told. Even providing the divine content for His written Word, the Holy Bible, that rightfully is the best-selling book of all time.
And no wonder because it chronicles who Jesus was and how He came. He came to earth riding the grace of God to save our souls. He came to Bethlehem riding in the sanctified womb of Mary to be born as God’s sacrifice for sin. He came across the Sea of Galilee riding in a boat to feed the hungry, heal the sick and drive out demons. He came to Jerusalem riding on the back of a donkey with the people proclaiming His legal, royal position shouting “Hosanna!” which is an exclamation of praise translated “save us.” He came to heaven riding on a cloud being raised from the dead with all power to sit on the right hand of God making intercession for us. And, in like manner, He’s coming back riding on a cloud, gathering us to meet Him in the air to be with Him forever. “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4: 16-17)
After teaching His disciples many things, Jesus told them, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace.” (John 16: 33) Peace in knowing He would never leave or forsake them. Peace in knowing He would provide for them and protect them. And peace in knowing that when it was all said and done He would have a place prepared for them in the presence of His Father. Believe our Savior when He says, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16: 33) And that is what Christmas is all about. Jesus being born with the mission to overcome the world on our behalf and for our good. So be of good cheer, pray without ceasing and rejoice evermore. “If God be for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8: 31) Realize that when He told the thief on the cross, “To day shalt thou be with Me in paradise” (Luke 23: 43), He was assuring him that everything would be alright.
Christmas means we don’t have to let our hearts be troubled. Christmas means that our Father’s house has many mansions and Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us. Christmas means He will come again and receive us unto Himself that where He is we may be also. Christmas means the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in Jesus’ name, will teach us all things, and bring all things to our remembrance. Christmas means we have the peace of Jesus always with us because He has already fought the real battle and the war has already been won. He was born so that the world would no longer have to live in fear. And He is still telling us that because of Christmas we don’t have to be scared, but that everything will be alright. Just wait and see. “And they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” (Matthew 24: 30)
And so, during this holiday season when we enjoy the tradition of family, friends and the giving of gifts, remember and be thankful for the greatest gift of all which was God giving His beloved Son to us whose mission was to redeem, sanctify, empower and bring His children home. You need nothing and no one else. Only Jesus is worthy of this task, and to us, He truly is everything! He was born for it. Thank God for the birth of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the Man from Galilee, the Son of God and the Savior of the world. Because of Christmas we now have the opportunity to truly do what Jesus did for us. And that is to help somebody, comfort somebody, pray for somebody. Because of Christmas we can sincerely do what God did for us when we didn’t deserve it. And that is to go and give love to somebody, even if they don’t deserve it. The holidays may be happy, but Christmas is love.
“Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.” (2 Corinthians 13: 11 & 14)
Merry Christmas!
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