Published by admin on 25 Dec 2020 at 01:05 pm
A SAVIOR IS BORN
People all over the world celebrate the birth of Christ Jesus today, though I personally don’t believe He was born on December 25th in the winter, due to the way the Holy Days fall. But nonetheless, the account of His birth is recorded in Luke chapter 2, and that is the reason we celebrate.
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 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.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
While people exchange gifts this day, of course the greatest gift ever given unto mankind is the gift of a SAVIOR, Christ Jesus of Nazareth, Y’shua Messiah. Everything else pales in comparison with that gift. And often, so much thought goes into buying and exchanging gifts this season, that we lose sight of the “why” people celebrate in the first place. Our government was founded on Godly principals, yet today ungodly people are trying to remove God from every aspect of our lives. And now this COVID thing where we are being told to stay home and NOT gather for Christmas, is just another move to numb society into accepting more ungodliness in our lives.
Think, if you will, of what any of you parents would do in this situation: you must sacrifice one of your children so that the world could have their sins forgiven. That is too agonizing to even think of, and what if you only had ONE child? And yet, our heavenly Father had to make that decision. And we think He doesn’t love each and every one of us? Add to that the extreme weight of this: had Jesus sinned EVEN ONCE, the sacrifice of Jesus’ life would have been in vain, and NOBODY could be saved. And Jesus would NOT have been resurrected. I’m sure the Lord Jesus KNEW this going into His earthly life. I for one could not have stood the pressure 24 hours a day for every day of my life.
And yet, Christ Jesus not only endured that pressure daily, He endured the agony of the cross, WILLINGLY for you and for me. I could understand Him enduring it for a godly and worthy person, but certainly not for ME in the condition I was in B.C. (Before Christ became my LORD and Savior). Think for a moment about that. We so often run and hide from God because we KNOW we are not worthy of His mercy, and yet, HE CHOSE to give us mercy, through the sacrifice of His only Son. THAT’S LOVE! And that is the reason we celebrate!
GIVE GOD PRAISE, WORSHIP AND GLORY, HE HAS GIVEN US A SAVIOR!