Merry Christmas

               Merry Christmas

Most of us have very fond memories of the Christmas season—families that arrived from far away, snow storms, decorating the Christmas Tree, Christmas eve services, caroling, baking, presents, and so much more. 

The reason for Christmas is, of course, the birth of Jesus, God’s only son.  Imagine God coming to earth from heaven.  Who would want to leave perfection and come to this world full of problems and troubles?  But God did come.  Jesus was born as a baby to a virgin.  Humans may scoff and say that is impossible.  Yes, it is impossible for humans, but then again Jesus was also God.  And, all we have to know is that God makes the rules—rules like gravity, and magnetic attraction, and mathematics, etc.  So he doesn’t have to abide by his own rules.

But just coming to earth wasn’t that important.  It’s what Jesus did after he got here that counts.  Boy does it count!  Without Jesus you and I would have no chance, no hope of salvation.  None.  Zip.  Nada.

Jesus came to that little town in Bethlehem for one purpose, to fulfill the prophecy of the scriptures that a baby would be born in Bethlehem of Judah who would save his people from their sins.

Jesus was the long (thousands of years) promised Messiah.  The same one promised to Adam and Eve when they were driven out of the Garden of Eden.  The same one promised to Abraham and Sarah.  The same one promised to King David.  The same one foretold by countless Old Testament prophets.  He was (and is) the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords.

We celebrate Christmas with great joy and great enthusiasm because God fulfilled his promise (as he fulfills all promises) to send a Savior.  Jesus lived that perfect life we couldn’t live, and then gave himself up on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins.  And best of all, he rose triumphant from the grave, giving us total and complete assurance that we too will live again if we but trust in him.

I wish you a very joyous Christmas celebration and a wonderful, happy, and peace filled New Year rich with God’s blessings.