Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
The blogs I posted through December have been frivolous but an essential part of Christmas (Christmas Trees, Traditions, and the Week Before Christmas.) So today, I am acknowledging the reason for the season.
The reason for the season is the birth of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, you may be like me and set up your nativity scene as part of your decorations and become so entrenched in decorating forget to take the time to reflect on God’s gift to humanity. Then as the season goes on, it is easy to walk by it and again forget the reason for the season!
Having a focus on Christ does not require a nativity. Instead, it requires us to make a conscious decision to put Christ in the center of our hearts and minds.
If you want to read the whole Christmas story is found in the Bible, the book of Luke, and in Chapter 2 (Luke 2)
The following are my thoughts and opinions about parts of the Christmas story.
Think about Christ’s birth. Can you imagine our Savior was born to a virgin and born in a manger? He was born in a dirty, smelly, animal-filled stable. He did not have a comfortable bed; He was laid in a manger (a feeding trough). Why is this important? Jesus is the Son of God, which makes Him royalty, and He was not born in a pristine hospital or comfortable situation. Except for the fact that she was a virgin, Mary had a normal pregnancy. However, Jesus’ birth situation happened in an unexpected and unusual way.
Why the Shepherds? After Jesus was born, a multitude of angels appeared to the shepherds and announced His birth. The shepherds were in awe and went to the stable to worship the King. I believe the announcement of Jesus’ birth was made to the shepherds so that we can see He came for all of us, not just the elite.
The wise men saw the Star of Bethlehem and started to make their way to Jesus. Many believe that the wise men were at the stable that night, but history indicates that they visited the baby Jesus when He was two. The wise men’s journey was long and probably problematic. Nevertheless, they came to show us that not only do the “normal” people acknowledge Jesus, but Christ welcomes the wise and gifted people.
One of the essential things to remember is that Jesus came to us as a human, but He was also God.
The following is from the Bible Book of Philippians, chapter 2, verses 5-11. (Philippians 2:5-11)
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
I am thankful for Jesus’ birth, His willingness to humble Himself and became like man, and for allowing Himself to be sacrificed for our sins, paving the way for us to experience eternal life.
Take time to meditate on the season and honor the Lord for His gift of love.
Have a Merry Christmas, and enjoy both the secular and spiritual part of the season.
