Celebrating Christmas Throughout December Part Three

Well, here we are up to week three in “Celebrating Christmas Throughout December!"

So far we have thought about and discussed Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and the shepherds. 

So can you take a guess who will be our focus for today?

With Christmas just a few days away, I highly doubt you'll have to give it much thought!

Of course it’s

JESUS

As I was thinking and praying about what to write, I was coming up a “little short handed"!

I already talked about the birth of Jesus in the post about Mary, as well as, in last week's post about the shepherds! 

There’s only so many ways to write about Jesus' birth and I didn’t want to bore you!  

But the Lord quickly reminded me that none of us should ever become bored with hearing about the birth of our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ!

"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.  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  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.  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."
Luke 2:7-11

Did you realize the Gospels are not the first place in the Bible where the birth of Jesus is mentioned?  His birth was prophesied several times throughout the Old Testament.

"But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting."
Micah 5:2

"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
Isaiah 7:14

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
Isaiah 9:6

Please bear with me as I chase a rabbit down a trail for a moment! 

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is for Brian and I to take a ride throughout the surrounding neighborhoods "oohing and ahhing" as we take in all the glittering and glowing homes which are all decked out for Christmas!

Christmas trees displayed in the front windows of homes brightly lit with multicolored stringed lights or strands of soft, delicate white lights and loads of shiny tinsel, glistening Christmas balls and homemade treasured ornaments.

The fun front lawns filled with inflatable snowmen, reindeer, candy canes, snow globes, and in our neighborhood, even an inflatable Christmas Minion which is absolutely adorable!  

Driving by houses with candles burning brightly in each window giving off a sense of peace and contentment.  

But it's truly refreshing to see that there are a few people who do still set up a nativity scene in their front yard.  A great testimony to others of the REAL meaning of Christmas.

But I believe too often after the fun and festivities of Christmas have worn off, and the nativity scene gets stored back in the basement or in the attic, no more thought is given to Jesus.  

At least not until it's time to pull the manger back out along with the figurines of Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, the shepherds, and all the barnyard animals, and set it all back up once again for the following Christmas.  I know that's exactly what I did for many years before I came to know Christ as my personal Saviour.

Or people never take Jesus OUT of the manger and see Him as a grown man hanging on the cross dying an agonizing death for me and for you.

Even though this is a post about Christmas and the amazing birth of Jesus, I can't help but talk about His death.

WAIT!

WHAT?

WHY?

Because the reason
Jesus was born
was to die!

If Jesus would not have been born, He would not have been able to die! 

And if Jesus wouldn’t have died on the cross for our sins, we could never be born again!

So as we celebrate Christmas, let's always keep in the back of our minds, not only the REAL meaning of the holiday, which is the birth of JESUS, but let's also remember the REAL reason why JESUS came to be born, so He could die on the cross for my sins, for your sins, for the sins of all people!  

"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins."
Matthew 1:21

"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."
John 3:16

"Thank You so very much, Jesus, for being willing to leave the presence of Your Father and the splendors of Heaven to come to earth to be born of a virgin.  To be tempted in all areas just like we are, yet without sinning.  To know exactly what it's like to be betrayed by a friend.  To understand rejection.  To pray desperately to Your Father asking that if at all possible the "cup of death on the cross" might pass from You, but willing to say, nevertheless not My will, but Thine, be done.  To die a cruel, ugly, agonizing criminal's death as a complete, innocent and sinless man just so people like myself could be forgiven of my sins and know You personally.  To have fellowship with You and know that because of my total faith and trust in Your death, burial and resurrection, I have the joy of spending all eternity with You in Heaven!  Jesus, I don't have enough words to tell You how very thankful I am for all You are to me and for all You have done and continue to do in my life.  Happy Birthday to my Saviour, my King, my Lord, my Friend, my ALL IN ALL."

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May God Bless You,

Barb