Why talk about Christmas now? Well, I have been going the gospel according to Matthew during my devotions and have been reflecting on the birth of Jesus. I shared this on facebook and with my youth group over a year ago so I figured I would post it here as well.
Colossians 1:13-20 tells us:
"He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."
That portion of scripture tells us that Jesus is God, our Creator. John MacArthur writes about this in one of his books. Can you even begin to try to wrap your mind around the fact that the baby lying in a manger was God – the Creator of the universe? Think of what that actually means. The expanse of creation is staggering! To travel across our galaxy would take approximately 100,000 years, and you would come across about 100 billion stars. On top of that there are billions more galaxies out there! The size of the universe is incomprehensible! The baby in Bethlehem made all of it!
Why did God send this gift to mankind? On the first Christmas, most of earth was oblivious as to what was happening, but heaven wasn’t. Angels broke forth in praise and worship at the birth of Christ. This child meant deliverance for humanity. “He will save His people from their sins” (Mat. 1:21). Jesus knew that in order to accomplish that, He would have to die. The important issue to remember at Christmas is not so much that Jesus came, but why He came. There was no salvation in His birth, His sinless life, or His flawless example to man. Even His teaching, the greatest truth ever revealed, could not save you or me. Our sins demanded a price; that price was the blood of Christ shed in death on the cross, and He knew it.
“Here’s a side to the Christmas story that isn’t often told. Those soft little hands, fashioned by the Holy Spirit in Mary’s womb, were made so that nails might be driven through them. Those baby feet, pink and unable to walk, would one day walk up a dusty hill to be nailed to a cross. That sweet infant’s head with sparkling eyes and eager mouth was formed so that someday men might force a crown of thorns onto it. That tender body, warm and soft, wrapped in swaddling cloths, would one day be ripped open by a spear. Jesus was born to die.”
I don’t tell you this to kill you Christmas spirit. In fact, it is the exact opposite, for Jesus’ death, horrific as it was, was not a tragedy. It was the greatest victory over evil, and the greatest outpouring of grace and love, this world will ever see. Christ chose to die for us based solely on His sovereign goodwill. His lovingkindness toward us is absolutely undeserved. The next time you see a nativity scene, look beyond the tender child to see what the Jesus Himself knew even before He came – that He was born to die.
If you are saved, “He died for you. He bore your sin. He purchased your salvation. He guaranteed your sanctification. He destroyed your enemy. And He became a sympathetic High Priest.” Even now, He is seated in heaven ready to make intercession for you. This is God’s gift to you!
If you are unsaved, repent (turn from your sin) and put your faith in Christ as your Lord and Saviour.
Joh 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Joh 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Joh 3:18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
Joh 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
" by Francis Chan. For real...this should be required reading for the church! I will try to do a review next year...lol...for now I will just say that is the best book I have read in a while!! READ IT!!
