A Bible reading from Luke, chapter 2. This is where we hear about the true reason Christians celebrate Christmas. It is not about Santa Clause or presents, but all about Jesus and His glorious birth. It begins with Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem, which is his place of birth. While there, he participated in the census that was going on and paid his taxes. It is written, “and it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 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:)” (Luke 2:1-4) Bethlehem is the city where Jesus would be born and later laid in a manger. Not a palace but in a humble barn.
Jesus did come into the world so humbly, although this must have been very hard and stressful upon Mary and Joseph. You see, Joseph tried as hard as he could to get a place where they could stay in an inn, but all the rooms were taken. This is where a person humbly gave them access to a barn where animals were. It wasn’t much but still perfect for the Son of Man to be born. Now, concerning Joseph, it is written, “to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 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.” (Luke 2:5-7) If there is one thing that people should be remembering this time of year and especially Christmas it is Jesus and His birth. Jesus came into the world to save us from our sins. Amen.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that people will remember Your glorious birth, come Christmas. It is awful to see the majority of people into Santa Clause and getting their children gifts instead of remembering You. Many people say they are teaching their children about You, Jesus, by reading from Luke, chapter 2, to their children on Christmas Eve. However, the fact that Santa is still involved with their Christmas celebration tells me that their hearts are not fully in it for You. God, these same people who put on Santa Clause music, watch these types of shows and movies, have his figurines on trees, and more, are only halfway in it for You. This was my life until I began teaching my children how evil Santa Clause is. You put these thoughts in my heart and helped me realize that the world is trying to substitute You for Santa. I pray that this stops once and for all in true Christian’s lives. Help them remember You, instead, Jesus. I love You, God. Amen.
Paul, did you mean to say, “Bethlehem is the city where Jesus was conceived and laid in a manger? Or did you mean “born” instead of “conceived”?
I fixed it to read, “Bethlehem is the city where Jesus would be born and later laid in a manger.”
Actually, this was the perfect place for Jesus to have been born. The fact that he was wrapped in rags and placed in the manger like the baby lambs that were to be used for sacrifice were represents a ‘picture’ of Jesus as the sacrificial lamb of God. It was all in God’s perfect plan.