Message
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When you look at a Christmas tree, with the angel at the top and the gifts underneath, consider the real Christmas story. The Christmas story starts off with an angel and culminates in God giving the world the precious gift of His Son, Jesus.
The Angel Announces. Luke 1 v 26 tells us that
the angel Gabriel was sent by God to visit Mary a
virgin and inform her that she had found favour
with God and would conceive and bear a son.
His name would be called Jesus.
Mary Magnifies. Early on in her pregnancy, Mary
travelled to meet her elderly cousin Elizabeth who
was also going to have a baby.
When Mary greeted Elizabeth, Elizabeth's baby
jumped for joy in her womb.
Elizabeth filled with the Holy Spirit asked "Why is
this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord
should come to me." (Luke 1 v 43.) Mary realising
the greatness of her son, magnified the Lord.
If we understood the greatness of
Jesus, we too would magnify the Lord.
Joseph Journeys. Quirinius' census required
Joseph to journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem
because he was descended from King David.
He took Mary on the journey to King David's city.
It was while they were there that Mary gave birth to her firstborn son. She carefully wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in an animal feeding trough. Joseph obeyed and because of his obedience, Jesus was born in Bethlehem as prophesied by Micah the prophet.
Shepherds' Sign. In the fields at night, shepherds were watching over their flocks. An angel appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them. The angel brought good news, today in David's city, Bethlehem, a Saviour has been born. This will be the sign, you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in an animal feeding trough. The shepherds went to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph and the baby lying in a manger. The shepherds made known the message about the good news, and so should we.
Wise Men Worship. After Jesus was born, wise men came from the East to Jerusalem, asking "where is He who has been born King of the Jews." (Matthew 2 v 2.) The wise men were guided by a star to Jerusalem and wished to worship Jesus. The star went on before them and guided them to the house where Jesus was. When they entered the house, they fell down before Jesus and worshiped Him. They opened their treasure chest and gave gifts to Jesus of gold, frankincense and myrrh. We ought to worship Him too.
Simeon Sees. When Jesus was 40 days old, Mary and Joseph went up to the temple to present Him to the Lord and offer sacrifices as was their custom. At the temple, there was a man called Simeon. He was a good man who feared God and God had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord's Christ. When Mary, Joseph and Jesus arrived at the temple, Simeon took Jesus up in his arms and praised God saying now I can die in peace, for my eyes have seen Your salvation. Seeing Jesus is seeing God's salvation.
God Gives. In essence the message of Christmas is God giving a gift to this world. God gives His Son as our Saviour. The apostle John wrote, "The word became flesh and dwelt among us." (John 1 v 14.) God's gift to us is priceless and perfect. It is available to anyone willing to take it and is received through faith. This would be the best Christmas ever, if you received the gift of God's salvation. "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name." (John 1 v 11,12)
S.K.
