CHRISTMAS STORY ACCORDING TO JESUS

The Christmas story according to Mary, Joseph and the Shepherds is meaningful but what is the Christmas story according to JESUS? Where are we going to find such a story? We do not have it in the Gospels. The Lord’s own story is in the Old Testament in Psalm 40:6-8 and it is repeated in the New Testament in Hebrews 10:5-8: “Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said: Sacrifice and offerings you did not desire, but a body you prepared for Me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, Here am I, it is written about Me in the scroll, I am delighted to do your will, O My God.”

Jesus is saying here that He came into this world for a purpose. His purpose was to do the will of His Father. As a young boy, He told Mary, “do you not know that I must be about My Father’s business.” God’s will for Jesus was to be the Savior. Too much at Christmas, we focus on the birth of a baby and miss the most important thing and that is why He came. He came to save sinful mankind by His death. Jesus was born to die and He knew that.

Only the Lord Jesus was able to pay our debt to God. Reconciliation to God, forgiveness of sins demanded the perfect sacrifice and that was accomplished only by Jesus. What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. John the baptizer pointed to Jesus and said, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”

Jesus was delighted to do the will of His Father. This is an amazing truth. This Jesus could leave Heaven with all its glories and become like us, to suffer and to die upon a cross as an evil doer. Yet, this is the story of God’s love. God so loved us that He sent His Son to die for us. The Scripture teaches us that it was for the joy set before Jesus that He endured the cross. It brought Jesus joy to do the Father’s will and save those who believe in Him.

“O Come Let Us Adore Him.” Christmas is all about God’s love in Jesus. Love Him who loved so..

SOME ONE WITH SKIN ON

I want to share with you my favorite Christmas story.

A little girl had been tucked in bed one night after the family prayers. It was a stormy night, the lightning flashed across the sky and thunder shook the house. The youngster endured this as long as possible. Then, she scurried to the living room and threw herself into her mother’s arms exclaiming, “I am afraid.” The mother quieted the child as she put her back to bed saying, “Remember, honey, God loves you and He will keep you safe.”
But, no sooner had the mother returned to the front room and seated herself comfortably, than the child appeared in the doorway crying, “Mommy, I’m still afraid.” Mother put the child back to bed telling her, “Honey, you must stay in bed, you are perfectly safe, I told you that God loves you and He will take care of you.” The little girl replied, “I know God loves me mommy, but, when it is thundering and lightning, I want someone with skin on to love me.”

Jesus was God in human flesh. He put skin on in order for us to know Him.
What was God like as a baby? Go to Bethlehem and stand by the cradle of the child, Jesus. What was God like as a growing boy? Go to the carpenter’s shop in Nazareth and see Jesus as He learns the carpenter’s trade from Joseph. What was God like in temptation? Go into the wilderness and share in the fierce attack of the devil upon Jesus.
What was God like in making decisions? Go to Gethsemane and hear Him pray, “Not my will but your will be done.” What was God like in suffering and dieing? Go to Calvary and see Jesus hanging upon that cross, dying for sinful humanity. What was God like in victory? Go to the empty tomb and hear the angel declare, “He is not here, He is risen, even as He said.”

We can know what God is like. He is like Jesus. Only Jesus could say, “The Father and I are one.”…”When you have seen me, you have seen the Father.”
May Christmas mean this to us, that the coming of Jesus is God’s unmistakable revelation of Himself to us.
“He became like us, so we could become like Him.”

CHRISTMAS, I LOVE IT

A deaf man looked through a window of a house and saw people dancing. He thought that they were mad, jumping around like that. The reason he didn’t understand was due to his handicap of not being able to hear the music.

A lot of people will not get the most out of Christmas because they don’t understand what it is all about. Now, don’t misunderstand what I am saying when I say, “I love Christmas.” I deplore the abuse and misuse of Christmas. The thoughtlessness of a Christmas celebration which gives no thought of Him whose birthday we are suppose to be remembering. It is unthinkable for people to use Christmas, of all times, to be an excuse for selfish partying. The commercialization that takes advantage of the season to fleece the people from their money has nothing to do with the reason for the season. How tragic to turn Christmas into a holiday with Santa Claus, lights, trees, presents, family gatherings, merriment with no thought of the birth of the Holy One. Anything that detracts from Christmas being a holy time is objectionable.

But, I refuse to be robbed or crowded out of enjoying Christmas by the hucksters and the party makers. I am not going to give up something so sacred and beautiful, so full of meaning just because of the selfish detractors. I won’t give in. I love Christmas and the bright hope it brings to this dark world.

Listen again to one of the most beautiful verses in the Bible which is John 1:14:
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of theOne and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” NIV
When we really understand the reason for the season, we cannot help but love Christmas.
I love Christmas, I hope that you love it too.

GETTING READY FOR A BABY

“What kind of girl would take on the world, by claiming an angel had come?
And what kind of man would still take her hand, knowing he wasn’t the one?

What kind of love, whatever it was most people called it crazy.
But it would take that kind of faith, getting ready for a Baby.

What ugly words they must have heard, whispered as neighbors went by.
Did they defend the rumors of sin, wonder if they even tried?

Would I walk that road? I’ll never know, the best I could say is maybe.

Were they all by themselves? Did they have any help, getting ready for a Baby.
One silent night He changed their lives, like babies always do.
But Mary and Joseph had no idea how He would change mine too.

They had the job of cradling God as he entered this world to save me.
All part of a plan, so much more than getting ready for a Baby.

What kind of love, whatever it was, someday I’ll thank them for facing
all the heart ache they knew, everything they went through
getting ready for a Baby.”

I had never heard this song before.  Judith Arnold sang it in our communion service, “The Manger Experience”.  She sang it so beautifully.  It touched my heart so in case you have never heard it or remember it, I have copied it here.

What do you see in the coming of baby Jesus?  Real Christmas is something out of this world.  It involves the recognition that something happened at Bethlehem that has completely changed our relationship with God and one another.

We must see in this Jesus, our Savor and our King. Our Savior from sin and our King of an everlasting, unshakable Kingdom.
See the babe in the manger.  Let tears of thanksgiving be mingled with those of unworthiness.  This is the baby that has made all the difference in this world and in the world to come.  

THE RIGHT CHRISTMAS

The right Christmas Greetings.
“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 Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2: 10-11

The right Christmas Gift.
“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

The right Christmas Invitation to accept.
“Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

The right Christmas Spirit.
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1

The right Christmas celebration.
“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom and strength, and honor and glory, and blessing.” Revelation 5:12

The right Christmas response.
“Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 2:38
-adapted from Pulpit Helps

“If like the Shepherd, you have heard and seen, then like the Shepherd, go and tell.”