Merry Christmas, Beloved, here is an excerpt from my Christmas devotional, Christmas - The Greatest Story Ever Told!
Christmas always has been and forever will be my favorite holiday. If you guessed it was because of the gifts, guess again. Then, perhaps you think it is about the delicious meal with all the trimmings. Still, that is not it, either. OK, it must be the decorating of the tree with its sparking lights, tinsel, and ornaments. Nope, not at all.
I love this time of the year because it represents the birth of my Savior, Jesus Christ. Though it is likely, that Jesus was not born on December 25th, it is still grand that we get the chance to celebrate His coming in a way that represents who He is. Even the song; It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year written by George Wyle and Edward Pola, does not explain the true meaning of Christmas. This song compares it to things; such as parties for hosting, marshmallows for toasting, caroling out in the snow, and even scary ghost stories. Somehow, many have lost sight of the purpose of celebrating Christmas. Because if receiving gifts, gathering with families to feast on delightful meals, and other such traditions is why anyone honors this holiday, you need to fall on your knees and repent.
Away in a manger, a baby lies because there; was no room for Mary and Joseph in the Inn. God, knowing all things, knew; this in advance and prepared a place for His Son to enter this world stained with sin. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords; still, His arrival had no striking resemblance to royalty. Still, at the announcement of His birth to the shepherds, the host of heaven lit up the sky; singing ……
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased! (Luke 2:14, ESV)
They rushed to go where the baby was. Upon seeing Him, they went throughout the region, making it known to everybody. Then they returned, glorifying and praising God for everything they had seen and heard. These men got what this season is all about. They did not go shopping for gifts or decked a tree. Likewise, they gave reverence; to Jesus with homage because His coming was more significant than any other. His birth blessed us with a special gift that we could never have made happen. It came to Him at a cost nobody could offer to rescue humanity. Beloved, there is; nothing we could ever do to earn what Christ did for us.
It stretched beyond His people and went throughout the regions beyond the borders of the elite. This priceless gem included the less likely, even the Samaritans, with whom the Jews were not on good terms. Likewise, it reaches anybody with a religious belief not aligned with His teachings. The mercy and grace of Christ paved the way that no one was left behind. The only prerequisite is to accept Him as your Savior and become Christ-like. Still, it does not stop there because it is equivalent to everything we would ever need. So, to reject Him this Christmas season is to jeopardize the plan and divine purpose He destined for you.
My Friend, it is nothing wrong with giving gifts, gathering with family, and singing carols, but let us never forget who gave the best gift of all time. So, the traditions the world use; cannot compare to the hope His birth brought. Jesus is the reason for the season, and I charge us to offer the sacrifice of praise and worship to Him this Christmas season. Let the resounding proclamation of who He is; echo in your acts of service. Beloved, don’t be afraid or ashamed to say Merry Christmas!
It is not just some typical occasion; it is a time to honor Jesus Christ because He deserves the praise. All that is good and marvelous in our lives is because of Him. Whether you acknowledge this or not is irrelevant because nothing you do will cause Him to stop loving you. Still, your choice to turn against Him does separate you from the Lord. He loves you too much to go against your will; still, He pleads with you to choose now; whom you will serve. I pray your response will be as the shepherds as you go tell the world, Jesus Christ is born!
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