The birth of Jesus Christ is the reason why we celebrate Christmas. December 25th is set apart for Him and for this we remember Him. This holiday is in remembrance of Jesus and as Christians, we come to together and turn our attention on the Lord and all He has done for us. More importantly, we remember why He came and the mission He fulfilled while He was on earth. To understand this, the angel of the Lord mentioned this fact to Joseph. He said, 1“fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.” This knowledge of Jesus and His sacrifice for sins is the gospel. It is vital to know that the Lord did come to redeem us and wash our sins away through His blood. He was lifted up on the cross that we might live. So now that we have this information, we look to Christ as our Savior and Redeemer. His coming into the world is the most important event to ever take place. For we have new life and forgiveness because of Him. When you read the verses of His birth, in Matthew and Luke, praises should ring out in your hearts. Let’s read some more of what the angel said about the birth of Jesus. He said, 1“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Jesus is God and He is with us all, to lead us and guide us.
So let us refocus our attention on Jesus, and read more about His glorious birth, this Christmas season. During that time, the people were being taxed, which brought Mary and Joseph 2“out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem.” Then days passed and she became 2“great with child” and her pregnancy was coming to its final hour. 2“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.” How humble was the Lord God to come into this world with no house but a barn. During this time, the shepherds experienced something amazing that they would never forget. This is the account, while they were 2“abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night”, an 2“angel of the Lord came upon them”. This was when 2“the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.” But the angel assured them that they had nothing to fear and said, 2“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.” Wow, can you imagine how they felt in that moment?
So the story continues and I am amazed at what the Shepherds did next. It is recorded, 2“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. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.” As you can see, they did not waste their time but jumped on their opportunity to see the Lord God in person. 2“And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.” This birth touched their hearts to the core and they could not stop but share what had just experienced with everyone. It was the Holy Spirit that led them to share this truth with the world. In the meantime, 2“Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” Can you imagine being her in that moment and having realized that what the angel said came to pass? The realization of the event taking place, as was foretold by the angel, must been kicking into high gear. Now 2“the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.” I pray that praises will also come from your heart and soul and you will also meditate on God and what He has done for your life.
Let us pray:
Lord, I come to You in humility, this day. Just as You came into this world and was born in the lowest of circumstances, in a barn, I come to You, knowing that I am nothing without You. Nothing this world offers can substantiate the love that You give me. Only Your love can breathe life into my soul. I am sick of the tricks that this world plays on me and want Your peace to ever fill my life. I know that what the world offers does not last and all its happiness and joy fades away fast. Most of it has left me with heartache and shame. I do not wish to fall into a state of depression because of these things and need Your peace to come over me, that I might stand up strong. You give me strength that I don’t have otherwise. Each time I seek You for wisdom and knowledge, You answer my prayers and I have direction. Because You are in my life, I have a purpose. I am important because Your blood has covered me and I am redeemed. Because of Your mercy, all that shame has been turned into peace and love. Your grace has assured me that I am going places in this life and the next. And Lord, I do wish to always be with You. Even when I pass on from this life I wish to embrace You Lord and thank You in person for all You have done for me. I praise You and rejoice in Your holy Name. I love You so much. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1Matthew 1:18-25 (KJV)
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.
2Luke 2:1-20 (KJV)
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.
