In six days, most of the world will come together to celebrate Christmas, the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Many celebrate not knowing the true meaning of Christmas or choose not to acknowledge it, but you know and I know, we are celebrating the birth of the one who would bring us each salvation.
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. 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, Good will toward men."
Luke 2:11-14 (KJV)
At that very moment, as the angel of The Lord proclaimed, Jesus Christ was born and the world would be given the greatest gift of all, the gift of God's one and only son. A gift from God to you and to me and to everyone who would open their heart to him and accept him as their Lord and Savior. And the scripture clearly states that the angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds in the field to bring this great news. The angel did not proclaim it to the king or to the royal family or to the high priests, no, the angel proclaimed the arrival of the Son of God to the shepherds, the common people, the ordinary folk, because that is who God intended to be saved; the lost, the hurting, the broken, the struggling, the wounded, the wandering...you and me.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known to us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manager.
Luke 2:15-16 (KJV)
There He was, a baby, laying in a manger, born unto this world not as royalty, not of special circumstances, not with trumpets blaring and music celebrating his birth, but a baby in a manger, surrounded by those he was sent to save, Mary, Joseph and the shepherds from the field. If you stop and think about that for just a moment, there were no kings, no royalty, no priests or rabbis there. Jesus was sent to us, to you and to me. There is no doubt that God wants to save all his people and still does to this day, no matter their situation, their social status, their skin color, their beliefs, what language they speak, what country they live in. But the first to see our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, were shepherds, ordinary common people, who then spread the word and made known to the world, the baby was born.
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told by the shepherds.
Luke 2:17-18 (KJV)
We will celebrate Christmas in a few days, and we know that it is not written the exact date of our Lord and Saviors birth, but we know where it happened, we know who was there and who wasn't there and most importantly, we know why it happened. Why God would send his one and only Son to be born on earth in human form. Why God would give each of us the gift of His son, Jesus Christ. So I could be saved, so that you could be saved, so that every man, woman and child who opened their hearts to Him, could be saved. What greater gift could any of us receive, than the gift of salvation.
Yes, we all love getting presents and giving presents on Christmas morning. We roam the malls and stores and Amazon to find the perfect gifts for our loved ones, our friends, our family, and there is nothing wrong with any of that. But let us not forget the one gift we all receive Christmas morning...the gift of the birth of Baby Jesus, so many years ago.
As I speak a blessing over each of you this morning, always remember, I am here for you if you ever need to talk or get something off your chest or if you need prayer. Please do not hesitate to send me a message.
I also want to ask a favor of each of you. When you are celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior this year, let us not forget those who are less fortunate, that don't have the means, that may not even have a place to call home. Show them the love of our God, through you. Let them see Jesus' love for them, through you. Share with them the love of this season.
May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; may the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Dear Father God, thank you for blessing us with this day and loving us as Your children. Watch over each and every one of us as we start each day, as we go through this week, keeping us in the palm of Your hand. Guide us in our daily lives, directing us on the path You have planned for us, bringing forth the dreams you have planted in each of our hearts. For we know who we are and whose we are, children of the most high God. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
"Keep your Faith strong, your Hope alive and your Prayers never ending."
God Bless
Pastor Mark
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