Glory To God In The Highest

Luke 2:11,13-14 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.  .  .  .   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.

How appropriate that the very men who raised lambs for the temple sacrifices were the first to meet the Lamb of God, Who would be the ultimate sacrifice, once and for all.

As the Angels see God step off the throne and go to earth, a baby born of a virgin in human flesh, their song reaches new heights. If they can praise Jesus for what they see Him do, we should praise Him for what He has done in our hearts and lives.

Psalm 40:2-3 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.  And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord .

Follow The Star

Matthew 2:9-11 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.  And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

Now, I don’t have gold, frankincense or myrrh to give to the Christ-child, but I can give what I have:  My love, my worship, my attention, my tithes, my talent, my praise, my glory, my labor, and all I am.

It always costs something to worship Jesus. He expects our worship to be simple and straightforward, to involve sacrifice as we give back to Him from the things He’s given to us.

Any exercise of praise that doesn’t involve selfless, sacrificial, and simple adoration of the Savior can’t rightly be called worship.

Jesus Found Of All Who Seek Him

God sent us the very heart of heaven. As John put it later in his epistle, “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world,” 1 John 4:14.

It wasn’t Santa Claus who came to town that first Christmas. It was Jesus! He is still here, looking for all who have room for Him in their lives.

He is still found of all who seek Him, and He still changes all who meet Him.

What are you looking for this Christmas?

That Holy Baby

While teaching my five-year-old grandson to play dominos, he suddenly asks, “What is the purpose of this game? How do I win?” We all want to win.

As we celebrate the birth of the Christ-child, some may ask, “What’s the purpose of the Baby in the manger? Why should I care?” The answer is in the inspired Word of God.

John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Love for a lost, sinful world compelled God the Father to send His beloved Son to earth. That Holy Baby was conceived in the womb of the virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit. That Holy Baby is the long-awaited Messiah, the very Son of God, Salvation and eternal life for all who believe on Him.  That Holy Baby was born to die for you and me. Thank you Jesus.

This Fellow Joseph

Matthew 1:19-20 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 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.

This fellow Joseph always shows up in Christmas programs, bringing no gifts or songs or making no speeches. He just stands there in his sandals and robe, watching the scene unfold around him. The Bible tells us he was a “just” man.
 
Put yourself in Joseph's place. You are betrothed to Mary. All of a sudden you discover that this woman is pregnant. Of course, you think the worst. Perhaps he should put her away privately. Then the Angel appeared in a dream, and that changed everything.

Often the voice of God comes to us and we hesitate. We debate with Him and ourselves instead of responding in swift obedience. Obedience to the Lord is far more blessed than anything else we can do for Him.