Let us all remember and rejoice as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Just as the magi gave gifts to celebrate and honor His birth, we also give gifts as a reminder of these first gifts given and the gift to us of Jesus. He came on a rescue mission. His death on the cross paid for our sin debt owed so that we can be reconnected to God today and for eternity. In the Old Testament, prior to Jesus walking on this earth, an animal sacrifice was made so humans, like all of us, could stay connected to God. Jesus was the final sacrifice for us all. God loved us so much He gave us Jesus to shed his blood on the cross for us so that animal sacrifices are no longer necessary for us to stay connected to the God, our Father. What a beautiful gift we have in Jesus as His life, the only sinless life walking on this earth, is the perfect role model for us about how we are to live our lives. We can’t do it perfectly but thanks be to God, and Jesus, for His ultimate gift to us. Imagine giving up your own child to die as Jesus did on a cross for another? Now that is love beyond what we can know or imagine!
May you be blessed this Christmas as you celebrate and remember the real reason for this season. Merry Christmas Blessings!
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place in a while.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
