The True Meaning of Christmas

Today I read this article written by Rev. Mike Shaw, a local pastor and President of the Alabama Baptist Association. He tells us about the true meaning of Christmas and breaks it down into three parts: God's gift, God's grace and God's glory. He begins with what the word Christmas means. It comes from 2 words meaning "to celebrate or worship"(mass) and the anointed one, the Messiah, Christ. It literally means the worship of or to celebrate Jesus Christ. He told of the OT truth Isaiah wrote about in the bible 740 years before the birth of Christ.
Gift:
Is.9:6-7 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. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
John 3:16-18  "For God so loved the world,that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
Before the birth of Jesus, His mother Mary was visited by an angel, Gabriel. She was a virgin and engaged to be married to Joseph.
Luke 1:26-28 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!"
Grace:
"Favored" translated from the Greek word charis is where we get our word charity. In parts of the NT, it is translated "grace". Grace means "unmerited favor". Mary was told God's favor rested upon her, and because of her submission to God's plan, all of us can have God's grace. We are sinners and that sin separates us from holy God. We can never be good enough! Our hope is found in Christ alone!
In light of all the bad things that happen, Christ offers hope to all peoples. He gives grace to those who choose to seek Him, to call on Him, to love Him, to follow Him, to worship Him and to serve Him. And that grace has power to enable us to do all things.
Glory:
Luke 2:9-14 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"
Who were the first people to hear the good news of Christ being born? Kings, the wealthy merchants or people of means? No! Humble shepherds who were keeping watch over their flocks out in the dark of night!What terror they must have felt when these figures came from no where and were accompanied by great amounts of blinding light. But what joy they must have felt to hear that good news! It is still true today that Christ offers salvation to the world. Will you bow to Christ as Lord?