Even though I love the idea of Santa Claus and how children get excited every Christmas season to receive miracles and gifts, but Christmas is not about Santa Claus.
In the book of Matthew chapter 1 verses 18 to 25, it says that “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.”
It was prophesied thousands years ago that The Lord Jesus would come to save human beings, we, His people from our sins. And after it was prophesied of Him, it took years to see the manifestation of the Living Word of God, Jesus, to manifest into the world. Therefore every year during Christmas season we are reminded that God is faithful, He is a promise keeper. We may not be able to keep some of our promises, but God is faithful. If He promised you something, He would fulfill it in due time or season.
During Christmas we are celebrating the love of God to human kinds for sending His own begotten Son to redeem and save you and me from our sins. We see Scripture in John 3 verse 16 came to be fulfilled, which says “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
It is recorded in the Bible that God showed His prophets things to come and inspired them to speak and write what He would bring to pass. From the time of Abraham to just before Jesus came, the Bible has been hinting about the coming of Jesus, the Messiah to the world.
Therefore, the day Jesus was born it is recorded as the joyful day. Like the song that says “Joy to the world, the Lord has come. Let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room. And Heaven and nature sing. And Heaven and nature sing. And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.”
Christmas is the biggest birthday on earth and in heaven. Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year where all people and their loved ones come together to celebrate the Lord Jesus birthday and being reminded that God is faithful and is with you and me. It doesn’t matter what religion you are from. It’s supposed to be a celebration for the entire world, and it’s up to you to believe and receive it.
Christmas is for everyone. And it doesn’t matter your situation is, or where you come from, or your status in life. Your situation or circumstance should not stop you from enjoying Christmas. God knows all things concerning you. I mean, at least you were born in the hospital or at a birthing prepared house.
In the book of Luke chapter 2 verses 1 to 7, it records that “And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with Child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”
In a manger where animals are fed, there He was born as predestined and prophesied about Him, the Lamb of God. Jesus is God only begotten Son, but yet was born in a manger because He was also the Lamb of God that was promised years ago to come to be sacrificed for all of our sins and take away the sin of the world.
In the book of John chapter 1 verse 29, it says “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”
When we are faced with all kinds of issues and circumstances, it doesn’t mean God doesn’t know or loves you and me. Just like Jesus, perhaps years later we will look at what happened to our lives, all our struggles, shame, and obstacles, and wouldn’t matter anymore. It didn’t matter to Jesus where He was born or what happened to Him. The facts remain to this very day He is still GOD only begotten son, our Messiah and the Lamb of GOD. Where He was born and whatever happened to Him didn’t stop Him to fulfill His assignments here on planet earth, in fact where He was born only revealed about one of His assignments He came to fulfill.
Even after Jesus being born in a manger, it didn’t stop the people to go and worship Him there while He was just an infant. When He was just an infant lying in a manger where animals ate, people still came to worship Him.
In the same Chapter 2, the book of Luke verses 8 to 20; it records that “Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, 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, goodwill toward men.” So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.”
Sometimes all you have got to do is to check out the people GOD is bringing your way. Don’t you find it an amazement that the first people came to visit Jesus that GOD sent an angel to tell them about Jesus birth were the shepherds? First, He was born in a manger. Second, the first people to come were shepherds. They just revealed another aspect of Who is, The Lord our Shepherd, that's why they even went to worship Him.
In the book of Romans chapter 3 verses 21 to 31, it says this about Salvation. “But now God has shown everyone a different way to heaven, not by “being good enough” and trying to keep His laws, but by a new way (though not new, really, for the Scriptures told about it long ago). Now God says He will accept and acquit everyone, declare everyone “not guilty” if we trust Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, by coming to Christ, no matter who we are or what we have been like. Yes, all have sinned; all fall short of GOD’s glorious ideal; yet now GOD declares everyone “not guilty” of offending Him if we trust in Jesus Christ, Who in His kindness freely takes away our sins. For God sent Christ Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to end all GOD’s anger against you and me. He used Christ blood and our faith as the means of saving you and me from His wrath. In this way He was being entirely fair, even though He did not punish those who sinned in former times. For He was looking forward to the time when Christ would come and take away those sins. And now in these days also He can receive sinners in this same way because Jesus took away their sins. But isn’t this unfair for God to let criminals go free, and say that they are innocent? No, for He does it on the basis of their trust in Jesus who took away their sins. Then what can we boast about doing to earn our salvation? Nothing at all. Why? Because our acquittal is not based on our good deeds; it is based on what Christ has done and our faith in Him. So it is that we are saved by faith in Christ and not by the good things we do. And does God save only the Jews in this way? No, the Gentiles, too, may come to Him in this same manner. God treats all the same; all, whether Jews or Gentiles, are acquitted if they have faith. Well then, if we are saved by faith, does this mean that we no longer need to obey GODs laws? Just the opposite. In fact, only when we trust Jesus can we truly obey Him.”
Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. We are reminded again to prepare our hearts to receive Immanuel.
Even though once every year we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, we don’t have to wait to receive Him in our lives until the end of the year. Jesus can be born in our hearts any day we welcome Him too. Even though His birthday was thousand years ago, but today the Lord Jesus can be born into your heart when you receive, welcome, invite, and accept Him to be the center of your life, and make Him the Lord of your life, and your Savior.
Christmas is about believing Who Jesus Christ is, the only begotten Son of God. You have to believe that Jesus is our Savior and Lord. Jesus means Jehovah saves. In other words God our Lord saves. And Christ means Anointed One, Savior, Messiah. Immanuel means God with you and me.
Every year we are given another chance not only to celebrate Him, but to also receive the Lord Jesus Christ in our hearts and lives. For those who have not yet believed, confessed, and accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, it’s another year again, another great opportunity for Him to be born into your hearts.
Christ’s Mass, or Anointed’ Mass, is the biggest holiday and birthday on the planet earth. It is the best time of the year where people all around the world celebrate to enjoy this holiday regardless of their beliefs, colors, nationality, gender, age, location, and you name it. This holiday is made available for everyone. The birth of the Lord Jesus Christ was for everyone. God sent Jesus to save all people from their sins. The coming of the Lord Jesus to planet earth was God gift to the world.
Home is where your heart is. Make Christ your home this Christmas.
In the book of Romans chapter 10 verse 9 and 10, it says, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that GOD raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”
If you are interested in making Jesus the center of your life, your Lord, and Savior. If you want to make Him part of your life, all you have got to do is pray the Salvation prayer in the following manner (pray aloud from your heart and you can also pray your own prayer as God leads you).
“LORD OUR GOD, I thank You. FATHER ETERNAL I have heard about Your goodness and mercy found in Your Son Christ Jesus. I believe Jesus and I want to receive Him in my Heart. I repent of my sins. I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins and in a third day He rose and now is seated at Your right hand Heavenly FATHER GOD. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and my life. Be my Lord and my Savior from now on and forever more. Thank You, I receive You by faith. In Your Name I pray. Amen.”
And that’s it. Welcome into the family of GOD. You are now a born again Christian believer, and child of GOD. Share your good news with others.
In the Bible, in the book of John chapter 3 verses 1 to 8, it records that “Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs You are doing if God were not with him.” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at My saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
After you have prayed the Salvation prayer I recommend you join a local Church that teaches Biblical teachings in your area. The Pastors of your local Church you will be attending they will help you with your Christian walk and help you with your spiritual and faith growth. They will also be able to answers some of the questions that you may have.
Merry Christmas.
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