The months between the announcement of Christ's birth and the actual moment of His arrival were months of hard decisions and anxious waiting for Mary and Joseph.
During this time Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth who is also expecting a very special baby, John The Baptist.
When she arrives and speaks to Elizabeth, the baby in Elizabeth's womb leaps for joy, reminding us that an unborn child is more than a mere blob of flesh.
Lifting her voice to the Lord, she reveals a heart that is in love with the Lord. She teaches us that we can praise Him in spite of our circumstances.
Luke 1:46-47,49-50 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. . . . . For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
The Christmas season is about our relationship with the Lord and learning to celebrate His glory and His goodness.
God is worthy of our faith, love, praise and worship.
Saturday, December 23, 2017
Friday, December 22, 2017
The Real Christmas Story
Perhaps no other story in the Bible speaks with such clarity about the power, the majesty, the glory, and the purpose of God.
The Lord stepped out of eternity into time and was born of a virgin. That’s almost mind-boggling.
The shepherds---lowly and undeserving---were first called to worship the Christ-child.
The angels were amazed that the Creator was born in the image of the creature He created.
The wise men following the star makes me rejoice. These pagans traveled far and came to know the Lord Jesus Christ.
The manger is a reminder that Jesus laid aside certain Heavenly attributes that He might become a man and die for sinners.
We find the true glory of Christmas in the words of the angel who visited the shepherds.
Luke 2:10-12 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, 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.
As Savior, He is worthy of our worship. As Christ, He is worthy of our dependence. As Lord, He is worthy of our obedience. As Jesus, He is worthy of all we can give Him.
The Lord stepped out of eternity into time and was born of a virgin. That’s almost mind-boggling.
The shepherds---lowly and undeserving---were first called to worship the Christ-child.
The angels were amazed that the Creator was born in the image of the creature He created.
The wise men following the star makes me rejoice. These pagans traveled far and came to know the Lord Jesus Christ.
The manger is a reminder that Jesus laid aside certain Heavenly attributes that He might become a man and die for sinners.
We find the true glory of Christmas in the words of the angel who visited the shepherds.
Luke 2:10-12 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, 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.
As Savior, He is worthy of our worship. As Christ, He is worthy of our dependence. As Lord, He is worthy of our obedience. As Jesus, He is worthy of all we can give Him.
Thursday, December 21, 2017
A Gift Of The Future
Most of the world gives Jesus mere lip service, invokes His name as a curse word and may mention Hm at Christmas time.
They see Him as some sort of a cosmic good luck charm. Many simply see Him as a terrible lie that must be eradicated.
But Jesus is coming back.
Matthew 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
When He comes, He will give the world the gift of His sovereign rule. The world will acknowledged Him to be all that He is and will bow at His feet.
Phil. 2:9-11 "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father,”
When He comes, the world will acknowledge Him to be God, Lord and King. That’s a gift the world needs today; it’s one the world will enjoy when He comes.
They see Him as some sort of a cosmic good luck charm. Many simply see Him as a terrible lie that must be eradicated.
But Jesus is coming back.
Matthew 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
When He comes, He will give the world the gift of His sovereign rule. The world will acknowledged Him to be all that He is and will bow at His feet.
Phil. 2:9-11 "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father,”
When He comes, the world will acknowledge Him to be God, Lord and King. That’s a gift the world needs today; it’s one the world will enjoy when He comes.
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Behold The Lamb Of God
For the first time in centuries the Glory of God returned to earth.
Perhaps the shepherds were caring for the flocks that would provide sacrifices for the next temple services.
It was fitting for the Good News to first be given to the Shepherds and the Lamb of God also be first given to them.
John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
Perhaps the shepherds were caring for the flocks that would provide sacrifices for the next temple services.
It was fitting for the Good News to first be given to the Shepherds and the Lamb of God also be first given to them.
John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
Tuesday, December 19, 2017
The Nativity Scene
When we see the Nativity played out we often smile at the simplicity and humor in the costumes and antics of the children. They just can’t avoid wiggling and being kids.
The Nativity Scene, as simple as it is, reminds us of a profound truth---that at Christmas we celebrate the incarnation--- when God became flesh and walked among men.
We celebrate the love and grace of God Who willingly laid aside His heavenly glory to be born in the humblest of circumstances so that lost people like us can be saved.
I hope Christmas touches something deeper within our hearts. I hope it stands as a constant reminder that God loves us; that He came to this world to die for us.
Luke 2:10-11 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, 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.
I’d like to think that we remembe that Jesus---the God-baby---came to pay an unthinkable price to provide a glorious salvation for all who will receive Him.
He came to give His life for all, especially those who hated Him and wanted Him dead.
Mark 2:17 When Jesus heard it , he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
The Nativity Scene, as simple as it is, reminds us of a profound truth---that at Christmas we celebrate the incarnation--- when God became flesh and walked among men.
We celebrate the love and grace of God Who willingly laid aside His heavenly glory to be born in the humblest of circumstances so that lost people like us can be saved.
I hope Christmas touches something deeper within our hearts. I hope it stands as a constant reminder that God loves us; that He came to this world to die for us.
Luke 2:10-11 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, 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.
I’d like to think that we remembe that Jesus---the God-baby---came to pay an unthinkable price to provide a glorious salvation for all who will receive Him.
He came to give His life for all, especially those who hated Him and wanted Him dead.
Mark 2:17 When Jesus heard it , he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Monday, December 18, 2017
When God Became Flesh
All through His life Jesus proved Who He was again and again.
John 1:1,14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . . . And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
From “Peace be still” to “Rise up and walk” to “Lazarus come forth” to “Thy sins be forgiven thee” to “It is finished”--- the truth and power of the deity of Jesus was on constant display.
Every word, every deed, every miracle declared Him to be God. He alone is the Person of Christmas.
John 1:1,14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . . . And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
From “Peace be still” to “Rise up and walk” to “Lazarus come forth” to “Thy sins be forgiven thee” to “It is finished”--- the truth and power of the deity of Jesus was on constant display.
Every word, every deed, every miracle declared Him to be God. He alone is the Person of Christmas.
Sunday, December 17, 2017
So God Sent Us A Savior
The shepherds were unable to go to the Temple for many weeks at a time. This prevented them from getting clean. But, thank God, that's the crowd Jesus came to earth to save (Luke 19:10, Mark 2:17).
They were probably the men who raised the lambs for the temple sacrifices. It’s appropriate that they would be the first to meet the Lamb of God.
Luke 2:10-11 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, 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 Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
A SAVIOR---Deliverer; Pictures Him as the sacrifice---The cross
CHRIST---The Anointed One, The Son of God. Pictures Him as the fulfillment of all the promises and prophecies beginning at The Garden of Eden, (Gen. 3:15).
LORD---Sovereign God---The One to be served, worshiped and adored.
If our greatest need had been ---
• Information, God would have sent an educator.
• Technology, God would have sent a scientist.
• Money, God would have sent an economist.
• Pleasure, God would have sent an entertainer.
• Military, God would have sent a soldier.
• Justice, God would have sent a judge.
But our greatest need was forgiveness and redemption, so God sent us a Savior.
They were probably the men who raised the lambs for the temple sacrifices. It’s appropriate that they would be the first to meet the Lamb of God.
Luke 2:10-11 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, 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 Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
A SAVIOR---Deliverer; Pictures Him as the sacrifice---The cross
CHRIST---The Anointed One, The Son of God. Pictures Him as the fulfillment of all the promises and prophecies beginning at The Garden of Eden, (Gen. 3:15).
LORD---Sovereign God---The One to be served, worshiped and adored.
If our greatest need had been ---
• Information, God would have sent an educator.
• Technology, God would have sent a scientist.
• Money, God would have sent an economist.
• Pleasure, God would have sent an entertainer.
• Military, God would have sent a soldier.
• Justice, God would have sent a judge.
But our greatest need was forgiveness and redemption, so God sent us a Savior.
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