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?

What Does the LORD Require of You ?

Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Divine justice has been met by Christ alone! His blood was the atonement for our sin! There is no other way of reconciliation to God but through Christ! Our pardon rest solely on the willingness of Christ to humble Himself unto death on our behalf! With this in mind, we must be humble before the Lord!
When I read this, my heart is so over joyed! That an Innocent would take blame for me, a guilty sinner!
Lord God Almighty, how can we know the depth of You! It is hidden from our feeble minds and hearts. But, someday all things will be revealed. Forgive us and show mercy to the ones who do not know You. Open their hearts to Your good news. Open our mouths with the good news of You! Amen
I was born a sinner and it will not be denied! I am under the divine grace of a Savior who loved me and who was obedient to His Father when He died for sinful man. We must tell the good news that Christ died for all sinners, everywhere!!

The Truth For A Lie

Rom.1:25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen
All men do not do what is right but often do what is wrong! We all transgress against God's holy law! Are you chasing after false gods? Do you not know that there is only one God, one Lord of all? Amen He is Creator of things seen and unseen! Amen means"so let it be"! The end of it, no further discussion!
Jer.16:19 O LORD, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in time of distress, to you the nations will come from the ends of the earth and say, "Our fathers possessed nothing but false gods, worthless idols that did them no good.
Jer.10:14 Everyone is senseless and without knowledge; every goldsmith is shamed by his idols. His images are a fraud; they have no breath in them.
Ps.40:4 Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!

Bitterness of Heart

Heb.12:15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled
Lord, convict us all of this sin! Help us turn to You for forgiveness and healing. Amen
The fruits of bitterness are anger, wrath, slander, hate, and malice (or desire to see another suffer).
It is easy to have hurt feelings if you have a tender heart. Don't nurture this feeling of hurt or anger, pray about it and search the word. Christ showed us how to love when He gave Himself as a living sacrifice. There was no bitterness in Him as He hung on the cross. Even though He knew He had committed nothing to warrant this wrath from the Father. I am a really a sensitive person. I am quick to anger and have a sharp tongue, it is a daily battle for me to control. In my reading and study of God's word, I see over and over how He wants us to have self control. I know that above all things, God wants us to love and care for people. There are so many people who feel alone and just need to hear" I care about you". I have seen the effect a hug can have on people, it is pretty amazing!
Ps.139:23-24 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Ps.51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

The Book of Life

Rev.3:5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.
Yes there is a book of eternal life. It is the book of Jesus Christ, belonging to Him alone, where He writes the names of His beloved. He confesses us before God the father and His angels. We do not deserve any of this but through the mercy and gift of Christ, he loves us and intercedes on our behalf. Lord, help us! As I read and study Your Word, I am convicted of my unworthiness and am reminded that Christ alone saves! Create in us a new and clean heart everyday as we strive to love this fallen world in Your name. Open our eyes to the lost and open their hearts to Your free gift. Amen

Now To Him Who Is Able

Jesus is real! But Satan is real too, and he is seeking to destroy your soul. Satan is cunning and will know your every weakness. He is the ruler of this world! Jesus has come to give you eternal life! Search the Scriptures for the truth!
Jude 1:24-25 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
2 Corinthians 2:11 in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
Lord, Your word is good! Open it to the ones who truly seek You! Keep us from the devil for You have all the power and glory. We give You honor and praise for You are king of kings and lord of lords! Amen
Don't let any man deceive you, know the Word!
Jude 1:18-25 They said to you, "In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions." It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.
Always go to the Word when you need the truth. There are many in the church today who misrepresent the gospel! Lord, help us all!

This Life is in His Son

I John 5:11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
Lest we forget, God gives and takes away, eternally and here in the present! The most important thing you will here today is that there is an eternity, and you will spend it with God or separated from Him forever. Jesus, willingly died in obedience to the Father, to give eternal hope to the lost. Are we lost? Only by the power of Christ can we be redeemed. He has been given dominion over all things!
Dan.7:13-14 "I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
John 3:35 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands.
Phil. 2:9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name
There is only one true God. There is only one Savior, Jesus Christ! We are lost and in need of a savior!
Do you want to know God? Read His Word and He will open Himself to you.
Lord, You are awesome in power. Reveal Yourself to those who earnestly seek to know You and Your will. We are here for Your purpose, let us love in your name! Amen