When the whole world is celebrating this season of Christmas, we often wonder why we are less than enthusiastic about Christmas in a time when even temples hang out the Christmas lights. Most of us are well aware of the pagan associations of celebrating christmas on Dec 25. I wouldn't like to go into that.
But we have every reason to celebrate the birth of Christ and His life, death, resurrection as well as His message for us. not just in this season - but every day!! The The Church of God is not supposed to move and sway with the world - but the church of the living God is described as "the pillar and ground of truth" 1 tim 3:15 .. meaning, we need to be clear about The Truth. For us, remembering Christ is much more than the worldly paraphernalia. It's a constant remembrance of our beloved savior.
Unto us a child is born - a son is given (Isa 9:6) the great prophecy about 500 years before his birth . John 3:16 says: God gave his only begotten son. The Son is given. It's a Gift. It's the best gift ! can we just praise and thank God for the most precious gift of our Lord God? the gift is so that we wouldn't perish but enjoy eternity with God the father and the Son. Also He was already a Son before being given to us.
John 1:1 says : in the beginning was the word. One of the reasons why the Lord didnt mention the dates or period regarding the birth of Christ is: He always existed with the Father. He always was - He is and he will forever BE. Prov 8:22-30 prophetically declares the truth about Jesus - Let's read those verses and enjoy a beautiful period of intimacy between the father and the son.
Prov 8:30 Then I was by him, [as] one brought up [with him]: and I was daily [his] delight, rejoicing always before him;Can you imagine this ? Before the world ever was, here was God - fully rejoicing and in fellowship with His beloved Son. Dear friends, this is the ultimate state of Christian life - to please the Father. My hope and prayer for myself and every person reading this - is that our lives will please the father in heaven.
It's not just that the son is given - but government shall be on his shoulders - I.e. He is born to be a King. Jesus came to establish the Kingdom of God here on the earth and to choose us to become kings and priests for him. Isa 9:7 . The lord has enabled us to be part of His kingdom by His grace col 1:13 From the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of His dear son. But being part of the kingdom means, we have to pay our allegiance to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.
Psa 2:11-12 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish [from] the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed [are] all they that put their trust in him.Kiss the son. when we repent of our sins & confess Jesus christ as our lord and savior, His wrath is turned away and he translates us into the kingdom of the dear son.
In the olden times, an alien or a subject of the kingdom shows allegiance to the king, He would come to the presence of the King and kiss the signet ring. For us, we have to repent of our sins, and believe in the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus for our sins and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and savior (in other words, we have to kiss Him for our salvation , that the wrath of God be turned from us)
For us, when the world celebrates this season, it's time for us to remember not just the birth of Jesus, but also His life, His message, His death and His glorious second coming. The first time He came, the entire nation of Israel missed him because they didn't keep themselves reminded of the scripture promises of the messiah.
Let me illustrate this. When Jesus was born, His birth was announced to the shepherds. Soon after, after the days of mary's purification, they bring Jesus (as a baby) to the temple. Luk 2:25-30 .. The high priests were available, the pharisees, the prominent men of Israel . but to whom did God reveal the messiah ? a man - simeon - 1) just and devout - 2) waiting for the consolation of Israel. 3) The holy ghost was upon him. and 4) it was revealed to him by the spirit of God. 5) He came by the spirit into the temple. and 6) He knew by the spirit that This couple among the hundreds there, was the Christ and His earthly parents. Similar is the case of prophetess anna luk 2:36-38 .. most others missed him. Dear friends, if we have this devotion, we'll keep ourselves as a bride that's sanctified herself and kept herself ready for His coming.
If His first coming was humble and quiet, His second coming is going to be glorious. mat 1:21 - he shall save the people from their sins. and he has added us into His kingdom. But we need to patiently wait and posess the kingdom !!! mat 24:44 the Lord is concerned that we will not be prepared or ready. We are sometimes more excited about the past events in our christian walk - something like the world being obsessed with the date of dec 25. But we still have a long way to go till the coming of the lord or our death. the word of God challenges us - are we prepared for his coming ? Are we moving past the baby steps and pressing onto the high calling that God has for us ? Are we on the path of denying our selves, taking up the cross daily and following our Lord ? Mat 24:36-41 , Mat 24:42 (watch) ,mat 24:44 be ready !!!
Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man comethLet's pray: Father God, we thank you for your dear Son whom you gave so freely for us. We thank you for the precious salvation that you have kept for us by Faith in Jesus Christ our Lord. We pray that you will impress the truth and the real message of Christ into our hearts, so that when He appears, we'll be found in Him, and we'll be able to be with you for all eternity in the precious Kingdom. We thank you for the Hope. We love you lord and commit our lives into your hands. In Jesus name - Amen
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