Christmas- the name means Christ worship. It records the
baby born in Bethlehem, God’s promised Messiah, God’s gift to humankind, born
to save the world from the curse of sin and death. He was Jesus, Immanuel – God
with us.
Prophets foretold His birth. Angels announced His birth by
appearing in the night sky above the ground where shepherds were watching over
their sheep. Some would say that that was symbolic of the birth of our Good
Shepherd, He who watches and tends over His flock. All of Heaven rejoiced.
Scholars in other countries who studied the night sky saw
unusual signs in the heavens, including an unusual star which led them to where
Jesus was. They brought precious gifts to present to Him, beginning a tradition
of giving gifts to others to show the love of God to one another. In later
centuries good men of faith such as St Nicholas and King Wenceslas gave gifts
to the poor and needy and later came to be personified in the form of “Sinterklaas”
or Santa Claus.
In later centuries beautiful carols honouring God were
written and sung at Christmastime, telling the story of Christ’s birth- “Silent
Night”, “Away in a Manger”, “Angels we have heard on high”, “O Little Town of
Bethlehem” and others.
There is no Christmas without Christ. Christ came as a baby
in Bethlehem, to minister to the world and to die outside of the walls of Jerusalem,
taking upon Himself the sin of mankind. He defeated death and hell and rose
from the dead, to ascend to Heaven. He will come again in final judgement. He
knows and loves those who are His and blesses their lives with His goodness.
This is the gospel, the good news that Christians throughout the world celebrate
at Christmas.
Like the shepherds, let's wonder in the glory of God’s gift
to us.
Like the angels, let's sing for joy songs of praise to God
our Heavenly Father for His goodness.
Like the wise men, let's dedicate our time and resources to
God, and give to others, especially those who are in need.
As we share food and presents and time with family and
friends, let's do so to share the love of Jesus.
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