Two Thousand Christmases
Christmas. What can be said about Christmas that hasn’t already been said? Many have heard about the baby Jesus being born in a manger. And everyone knows about the commercialization of the holiday and the season. But how much do they really know about the true story of Christmas, a story that happened two thousand Christmases ago! It is a story that never gets old. It is the story of God’s plan of Salvation for the world. It is the precious story of the birth of our new born king, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
In this month’s Podcast we will discuss the wonders and joy of the season, our holiday memories, but most importantly the true story of Christmas.
Let’s start with what God’s word tells us. This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, a descendant of David, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son (Matthew 1 - NIV).
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to their own town to register. So, Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby
to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So, they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived (Luke 2 - NIV).
The true story of Christmas is not a story of traditions, beautiful trees, decorations, sparkling lights, abundant gift giving or commercialism. These are not bad things when properly prioritized. But, we must remember that the true story of Christmas is the story of God giving mankind
His greatest gift, His Son!
The Christmas story is a story of God’s love and provision for salvation for the world. It shows us His love because He gave His one and only Son to the world. It shows us His provision for salvation because whoever believes in His Son shall never perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
Food for Today:
Isaiah 9:6 - For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Picture Courtesy
African-American Nativity Scene - Pinterest
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