In just a few days people all
over the world will be celebrating Christmas. To some it is simply a time for
gathering with family and friends. For others it is a “High Holy Day”
celebrated with great pomp and circumstance. Others look for Santa and the
gifts that will soon be received.
For our family it is the time we
celebrate the birth of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. There will be the
traditional Christmas tree beautifully decorated, colored lights, the children’s
play depicting the manger scene with all the traditional characters, Mary,
Joseph, shepherds, wise men, angels and of course, the baby Jesus. And yes, we
will gather with family and friends enjoying fellowship, feasting and the
exchange of gifts. But we will do all of this in remembrance of why He came and
who He is, the reason for the season!
Isaiah 7:14
(NIV) Therefore the Lord
himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth
to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Matthew
1:20-23 (NIV) 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. 21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give
him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”22All
this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23“The
virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him
Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.”
2.) The priceless gift
of eternal Life
As we continue to celebrate
the birth of Christ it is important to remember “The reason for the season” . .
. he will save his people from
their sins (Matt. 1:21b).
John 6:32-33
(NIV) Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, it
is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who
gives you the true bread from heaven. 33For the bread of God is he
who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
John
6:41-42 (NIV) At this the Jews began to grumble about him
because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42They
said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know?
How can he now say, ‘I came down from heaven’?”
John
6:47-51 (NIV) I tell you the truth, he who believes has
everlasting life. 48I am the bread of life. 49Your
forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. 50But here
is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. 51I
am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread,
he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of
the world.”
As we continue to look at the
scripture we cannot help but see that Jesus was calling his followers to
wholehearted commitment not just a casual acquaintance. Likewise we are being called
to be partakers of Christ, exhibiting wholehearted committed to Him.
John 6:52-69 (NLT) “52Then the people began arguing with each other about what he meant. “How
can this man give us his flesh to eat?” they asked.53So Jesus said again,
“I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his
blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. 54But anyone who eats
my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at
the last day. 55For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56Anyone who eats my
flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. 57I live because of the
living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live
because of me. 58I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this
bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but
will live forever.”59He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
Many Disciples Desert Jesus 60Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to
understand. How can anyone accept it?”61Jesus was aware that
his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you? 62Then what will you
think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? 63The Spirit alone
gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I
have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64But some of you do
not believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe,
and he knew who would betray him.) 65Then he said, “That is why I said that people
can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.”66At this point many of
his disciples turned away and deserted him. 67Then Jesus turned to
the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” 68Simon Peter replied,
“Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. 69We believe, and we
know you are the Holy One of God.”
While we celebrate His birth
we also remember that He is no longer a baby in a manger. He is the King of
Kings, the Lords of Lords. He is Immanuel—God with us, our Lord and Savior! Christmas
is not just the celebration of His birth; it is also the celebration of His
life. It should also be a time of self-examination and renewed commitment of
our lives. While many may fall away, we humbly declare we will not leave you.
This is our gift back to God.
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