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December 2008
The story of Christmas never ceases to amaze me. I love to read about the angel speaking to Mary and her reaction to the news. Joseph, willing to end his relationship with Mary in a quiet way until he, too, is spoken to by an angel. Mary spends time away with her cousin, Elizabeth, who is also pregnant with John the Baptist. Then the couple is made to travel to Bethlehem, in order to fulfill prophecy. Jesus, born in a humble way, lying in a manger. We see the reactions of the shepherds, the Wise Men, and King Herod as each receives the news of the Messiah’s birth.
As I read the accounts of Jesus’ birth, one verse always stands out to me. In the book of Matthew, chapter one, verse six we read these words: “’Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’, which translated means, ‘God with us.’”
Jesus, fully God, came to earth to live as man. I wrestle with the question, “why would God choose to leave heaven and live on earth as a man with us?” I know that He did this because of His great love for us. I know that this is His plan to offer salvation for the world. I know that God’s goodness, mercy and grace is why He did this. Even though I know in my mind all the reasons for Jesus coming to earth, I honestly still am amazed that God could love us this much.
So often we read the Christmas story, sing the songs, and
celebrate the birth of Jesus. But do we really take the time to
think about what this really means. God stepped down from
heaven, was born in a manger, lived and taught on the earth,
suffered death on a cross, rose again, ascended into heaven,
and now sits at the right hand of the Father. He did all this
for us!
As we celebrate another Christmas, let us remember that
we are not just celebrating the birth of Jesus. We are celebrating
the birth of a Savior who came to take away the sins
of the world. We are celebrating God’s plan to give us eternal
life. We celebrate an amazing God who paid the ultimate
sacrifice. Not only did He die on a cross, but He left
heaven to live with us.
Remember, as Christians we have reason to celebrate Christmas. Let us do so with joy and excitement and also with reflection and reverence. God is worthy of our worship.
In Him,
Ed