We have already entered into the month of December and the upcoming holiday known as Christmas. The actual day celebrated traditionally is only 22 days away, as of this writing. People have already started and currently are doing their Christmas shopping, along with hopefully figuring out who to get and what to purchase for that individual. The local radio stations are playing Christmas music. Also…the decorations, lights, and tree are up in various homes and businesses. Not to forget that there are other traditions associated with Christmas, including movies, television programs, food, plays and time spent with the family. All of these traditions are wonderful, yet beyond it there is something even greater in the real meaning of Christmas.
Christmas is truly about the birth of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is the acknowledgement of what God has done, what He is doing, and what He will do (past, present, and future). The prophets in the Old Testament foretold the coming of the Messiah into the world and everything He would accomplish. One of those promises is found in Isiah 9:6-7 where it states “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this” The Messiah entered the world as that baby. He was born in a manger in a town known as Bethlehem. Later on, he would grow up and become an adult, while at the same time he was God in the flesh. Jesus did the entire work of ministering, healing, comforting, teaching, and everything related to the Kingdom of God. Yet, he would be arrested and placed on trial…along with facing death on the cross, becoming that ultimate sacrifice, and taking all of the sin and punishment we originally deserve. It didn’t stop there. After being placed in a borrowed tomb, Christ victoriously rose again three days later. Now, he sits at the right hand side of the Father, is in control, and will one day return for all those who have accepted him to be their Lord and Savior. The Son was born. He has many titles. His reign will be everlasting.
How will you celebrate Christmas this year? What will you do? Will you make that important decision to receive the promise of salvation or will you reject it? The promises of Christmas are found in the Bible…the Word of God. Christmas is and should be the most wonderful time of the year.
“For the spirit of Christmas fulfills the greatest hunger of mankind” –Loring A. Schuler
