“And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name
JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1: 21).
Thanksgiving has just passed and the hype and hoopla are already in full motion for the activities of Christmas. Yes, I am aware of the “political incorrectness” of using this designation in public. I am also fully aware of the holiday’s associations with its pagan past.
However, let’s really get down to what matters: As a Christian, I commemorate Christmas as a remembrance of the biblical teaching regarding Christ’s birth. A little over 2000 years ago, Jesus was born in the Judean town of Bethlehem, just as predicted by the prophet Micah (chapter 5, verse 2). His name would be “Jesus,” signifying “Savior,” or “Deliverer.” (The Old Testament equivalent would be “Joshua,” or “Jehoshua,” meaning, Jehovah saves).
For me, Christmas is a time to reflect upon Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, taking a human body so He could identify with mankind. He came to die for my sins on the cross and rise again the 3rd day, according to the Scriptures (that’s what I commemorate at Easter).
Have you thanked Him for coming to earth as the divine deliverer? Or are you still in your sins? Confess them to Him, place your faith in Him alone and He will give you everlasting life. Christmas is really all about Christ!
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:2)
Ring the bells, ring the bells, let the whole world know Christ was born in Bethlehem many years ago: Born to die that man might live, came to earth new life to give, Born of Mary, born so low, many years ago. God the Father gave His Son, gave His own beloved One To this wicked, sinful earth, to bring mankind His love, new birth. Ring the bells, ring the bells, let the whole world know Christ the Savior lives today as He did so long ago!
Words and music by Harry Bollback
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, 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, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:8-14
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