Category: Christmas

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December 25, 2021 – Happy Birthday, Jesus!

For December 25, 2021

Christmas is my favorite time of the year because we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ through acts of kindness, singing Christmas Carols, and reading the account of His birth, which Luke offers for our greatest benefit today,

So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.

Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

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, goodwill toward men!”

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.

Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.  Luke 2:6-20 (NKJV)

As with the shepherds of old, we too can observe the Lord’s birthday as grateful recipients of God’s grace and love. By faith in Jesus Christ, we can have unimpeded access to our holy and loving God for forgiveness of sin and the blessings of an abundant, eternal life. Won’t you accept this gift today and experience the true meaning of Christmas?

What a marvelous Christmas present God has given us though this Wonderful Savior!

Merry Christmas to all, and Happy Birthday, Jesus!

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In Darkness, We Await A New Dawning!

For December 19, 2021
Seven-hundred years before the birth of Jesus Christ, Isaiah writes these prophetic words,

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)

Before Christ, the world groped in darkness; doomed to spend eternity separated from God. But this announcement would signal a new day for those of us without affiliation with Israel’s Covenant God.

At the time of Jesus’ birth, most people were oblivious to His low-profile birth in a secluded Bethlehem manger. For the shepherds’ testimony of the Heavenly Host declaring: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14 NKJV), was its first report.

Yet today, our world has grown even more dark and civility deficient, leaving us wondering how even young children can conduct vicious murder without conscience. Our fallen world rejects the notion of inherent, personal sin producing our most evil tendencies like:

    • Pride, selfishness, and dishonesty in our dealings with God, others, and ourselves.
    • A lifestyle that embraces disobedience, rebellion, and sexual immorality consistently.
    • Rejection of the biblical truth that our loving, benevolent Creator—God is real. Instead, our “reality” is only what we see, feel, touch, taste, and smell. Only our subjective, empirical knowledge is real or relevant.
    • Our sin-darkened mind conjures evil acts that we do to exploit or harm people.

The world awaited the birth of Jesus Christ, who would embody the grace and love of God. He became our Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace to reconcile us to God. Moreover, Jesus, the Son of God became the Lamb of God; our sin-less substitute to appease the wrath of God.

Through Jesus Christ, have become the redeemed recipients of God’s mercy, through faith, who have a different outlook and lifestyle because:

    • His precious blood washed away our sins. As a result, God has forgiven us and we are no longer bound by guilt, fear, doubt, or shame.
    • The Holy Spirit, who lives inside us, produces the fruits of noble Christian character and conduct.
    • We have the mind of Christ, which influences our godly thoughts, words, and actions as we encounter others either in public and private settings.

Because of God’s incomparable Christmas gift to the entire world, we are new creatures. Here, God transforms us so that we no longer “live like the world” around us. Instead, we mirror the spiritual and moral image of Jesus Christ, for God’s glory and our collective benefit.

As His blessed benefactors, Jesus qualifies us to have a joyously abundant life now, and then spend a glorious eternity with Him as our Keeper, Friend, and God forever. Herein lies our greatest benefit. Won’t you trust in Him today?

What a Wonderful Savior!

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Peace On Earth And Goodwill Towards Men!

For December 12, 2021
Many social causes clamor for our attention today. Many offer a peace and love though social change. I can remember an age when popular songs promised of a new world where peace and love would reign supreme in the hearts of people everywhere.

Perhaps these ideals are to help us cope with hatred and conflict we experience daily around the world. Or perhaps it is our way of conjuring up a mental place where we can celebrate peace and serenity as our constant standard of living.

Due to our human frailty, the promise of world peace—although appealing—can never be a lasting human proposition. Our sin and selfishness tend to skew our peace and love towards self-service or quid pro quo behavior.

I praise God for the angel who announced to the shepherds nearly two-thousand years ago, “For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Then, with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host began praising God and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!1

The Lord is not willing that anyone should perish. Instead, He desires that all of us become the beneficiaries of His grace so that we can live in harmony with Him forever in Heaven. The Lord Jesus Christ tells us,

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.2

True peace can only be found in the Prince of Peace—Jesus Christ. For only He can change human hearts in ways that allow us to peacefully live in peace with God and with one another, just as He promises in John 14:27 (NKJV),

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

The Lord is faithful, and He continues to provide us with His everlasting peace, which never ceases to satisfy the deep longings of the human soul. Won’t you surrender to Him and experience His everlasting peace and goodwill?

What a wonderful Savior!

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There’s Still No Room For Jesus!

For December 5, 2021
There is an account of the Christmas Story found in the second chapter of Luke’s Gospel. The first seven verses in the New Kings James read (my emphasis),

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Even during Thanksgiving week, merchants heighten their promotional campaigns to prepare for special Christmas Seasonal sales. Hotels offer discounted rates for post–Thanksgiving occupancy to compensate for the winter offseason period.

But for the Savior of the world, which caused the Heavenly Host to exclaim: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”  (Luke 2:14 NKJV), there is yet no room—even for His own birthday!

The name of Jesus Christ, along with its variations, is being removed from public discourse. Public schools, colleges, and many corporations have chosen to call Christmas—the day designated to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ—to “Winter Break;” but for what purpose? Celebrated persons have been given designated dates to honor their births. Why not Jesus Christ on Christmas?

Luke tells of two weary travelers, Joseph and Mary, who are on their way to Bethlehem to register for the Roman census. But when they arrive, Mary delivers her firstborn son in an animal stable. She wraps Him in rags, and she places him in an animal feeding trough (manger) because of the lack of hotel accommodations—even for an expectant mother.

Usually when dignitaries travel with an entourage, appropriate accommodations are provided. But no room was available for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords or for His entourage, Joseph and Mary.

A crowded Bethlehem suffered a temporary housing shortage due to the census overcrowding. Yet, no room reveals our obsession with coddling those who are “high profile.” This obsession can lead us to adopting a standard where the whims of celebrated personalities become more authoritative than the Bible.

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 tells us that there are not many wise, mighty or noble who will welcome our Lord. Thus, God has chosen the foolish, weak, lowborn, and nothing to refute the wise, mighty, insignificant, and the things that are. In this way, Lord is at the center of all boasting.

The Lord can use celebrated persons to further His cause. These influential people use their resources and influence to lead people to Christ and demonstrate a vibrant, sincere faith in the Lord in the process. It was a very wealthy and influential Joseph of Arimathea who provided his personal burial tomb for Jesus; an empty tomb where we celebrate His resurrection nearly two-thousand years later.

On the other hand, it would be total negligence not to recognize the silent army of Christians who continue to serve the Lord faithfully in places deemed small, worthless or insignificant by the world. These people are significant because the Lord uses them to help transform lives—often without fanfare.

For all those unsung Christian heroes and heroines who continue to labor without recognition, be of good cheer. There was no room for our Lord and Savior either. But as Galatians 6:9 (NLT) tells us, we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

Let us choose to make room for our Lord and Savior in our hearts first and foremost. Then let us honor the day of His birth: Christmas and seek to mention His name in all phases of our public and private discourses around the world. Then when He returns to take us home, He will welcome us with a hearty well done! Won’t you give Him room today?

What a Wonderful Savior!

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We Are Precious Treasure in Earthly Vessels

For September 5, 2021
While in Macedonia on his third missionary journey, Paul wrote Second Corinthians. Scholars place the writings sometime after he wrote First Corinthians, around 57 AD. Second Corinthians contains Paul’s personal experiences with the Lord and features his testimony, Apostleship, restoration and unity within the church, and the need to financially support the Judean church. Paul also writes about being ‘caught up to the Third Heaven’ to answer certain Judaizers; the “super apostles,” who challenged his apostolic authority.

As he writes this encouraging letter to the Believers at Corinth, Paul states,

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:7-10, 16-18 (NKJV)

From these poignant words, five theme emerge:

I. We have this treasure in earthen vessels.

As it was customary in Paul’s day for nobles to store their treasures in clay containers “earthen vessels” for safekeeping, God has chosen you and me to store His eternal, heavenly treasures.

Through us, our God has chosen to make known to others everywhere around the world the incomprehensible riches of one all-compassing mystery: Christ in you, the hope of glory! Colossians 1:27 (My Paraphrase)

Christ in you, the hope of Glory provides us with:

    • Forgiveness of Sin—Salvation
    • Reconciliation with God—Atonement
    • Indwelling of the Holy Spirit—Sanctification
    • Assurance of eternal life—Glorification

II. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

Despite our adversity, we can rest assured that the Our Lord, the Good Shepherd is with us: loving us, caring for us, protecting us, and providing for us each day until the day He returns for us (or we go to Him in death).

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. Psalm 23 (NKJV)

III. Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:29-31 (NIV)

IV. Our light affliction, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 1 John 3:2 (NKJV)

V. We do not look at the visible, but the invisible. For what is seen is temporary, but what is not seen is eternal.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen…But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:1,6 (NKJV)

There is an old hymn that speaks to our grace and favor with God.

I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say3
Horatius Bonar (1808—1889)

I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto Me, and rest; Lay down, thou weary one, lay down Thy head upon My breast.” I came to Jesus as I was, Weary and worn and sad; I found in Him a resting place, And He has made me glad.

I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Behold, I freely give The living water thirsty one, Stoop down, and drink, and live.” I came to Jesus, and I drank of that life-giving stream; My thirst was quenched, my soul revived, And now I live in Him.

I heard the voice of Jesus say, “I am this dark world’s Light; Look unto Me, thy morn shall rise, And all thy day be bright.” I looked to Jesus, and I found In Him my Star, my Sun; And in that Light of life I’ll walk Till trav ‘ling days are done.

Despite how the world identifies us as being insignificant and worthless, or how the adversities and uncertainties we experience can make us feel helpless and hopeless at times, God has declared otherwise.

We are His prized possession, and we have been entrusted with His glorious, heavenly treasure that ensures we will have His abundant life now; while it also guarantees that we will reach our ultimate destination—eternal life with God! Won’t you trust in the Lord today?

What a Wonderful Savior!

 

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