It is now December, and I have just returned home to New England from holding meetings during the whole month of November in the Midwest, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. God really blessed the meetings as we saw some make decisions for Christ while others rededicated their lives.
Anyway, it is so good to be home. Christmas is always a special time of year for me. It is a time to be with family, friends and our home church with our pastor and church family. Recently in my devotions, I was reading (Luke 2:1-7) and I thought about Christmas of the Past and as I continued to read (Luke 2:1-20) I thought about Christmas Today or Christmas of the Present.
CHRISTMAS OF THE PAST: (Luke 2:1-7).
Every prophetic utterance concerning the birth of the Messiah was fulfilled perfectly by Jesus. How could that be? The answer is simple: Jesus Is God! The perfect plan of God involves no accidents or coincidences. God provincially chose Bethlehem as Joseph’s birth city. God provincially caused a census to be taken, thus bringing Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem (vv 1-5). God had them provincially arrive just in time for Jesus’ birth. God’s promises in the Old Testament were fulfilled perfectly in the New Testament. The history of Jesus’ birth is accurate and supported by both secular and religious writers. Many witnesses testified to the verity of Christ’s birth.
The Shepherds likely were anticipating the coming of the Messiah, for the angels chose them to be the recipients of the glorious message (vv 9-17). Shepherds who were attending their flocks had the wonderful privilege to behold “The Lamb of God.” (v. 16 cf. JN 1:29, 36). Likewise, old Simeon in the temple was waiting for the consolation of Israel (v 25) and then there was Anna, who was around the age of 100. When she saw Jesus, she “spake of Him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem” (v 38). Nearly 2 years passed before the wise men came from their distant country seeking Jesus the King. They sought him and found him in the house [not the stable] with Mary his mother. Having bowed their knees in worship to him, “they presented unto him gifts; gold and frankincense, and myrrh”(Matt. 2:11). Are you seeking him as well?
CHRISTMAS TODAY: [In the Present] (Luke 2:1-20)
It was no accident or coincidence that the visitors to the manger in Bethlehem were humble Shepherds. These were godly men who were looking for the Coming of Christ, in fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies. When the angel announced, “for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord” (v 11), but Shepherds knew this was the one for whom they had been waiting. In like manner, the wise men from the East had studied the writings of the Old Testament and knew that the time of the Savior’s birth was near. When the star appeared, they knew that its purpose was to announce the coming of the long promised Messiah. These wise men traveled nearly 100 miles, bringing gifts to the Christ child, while at the same time; the inhabitants of Jerusalem itself were ignorant of Jesus’ birth. The word of God also included the account of an aged man Whose Faith in the Savior’s prophesied coming was rewarded with the promise that he would not see death until he had seen “The Lord’s, Christ.” (v 26). When the Christ child was placed in Simeon’s arms, the old man declared, that he was ready to die peacefully, “For mine eyes have seen Thy Salvation.” (v.30).
Those who by Faith, looked for the first coming of the promised Savior were not disappointed, for God always keeps His Word. Those Today Who are looking for Christ’s Return can be equally sure that God will keep His promise to them. Christmas 2009 brings us one year nearer to the fulfillment of that promise. Are you like the Shepherds and the wise men, looking for the coming of Jesus? Are you ready for Christ’s imminent return to receive to Himself all who truly have been saved through his precious Blood?
MERRY CHRISTMAS: (John 1: 11-12).
When Jesus was born, there were only a few who celebrated His birth, the angels, the Shepherds and the elderly Simeon and Anna. But for the most part, folks were not expecting the birth of the Messiah. Nearly 2 years later, wise men from the East came to worship Jesus, now a young child. We do not know how many men there were, but they were strangers and foreigners. Those that should have come to worship Jesus were not there. Those who should have been anticipating and ready for the coming of the Messiah were oblivious of Him. These wise men exercise faith believing that this child was no ordinary child. They were willing to give everything they had in order to come and worship him.
They spent countless days traveling in order to give their valuable gifts to the child. They believe this child was the “King of the Jews”. But when they arrived in Jerusalem and asked where this King had been born, Nobody knew. Herod even sought to kill him (Matt. 2:1-18).
Many folks today are just as ignorant of Jesus Christ. They do not understand that the reason why he came was to be the sacrificial Lamb for the sins of the world. Many do not know that the forgiveness of sins comes only through faith in the Person and Work of Jesus Christ. Many folks today still reject him. But Christ is your only Hope (JN 14:6; Acts 4:12). If you refuse Jesus as your Savior, you will die in your sins (3:18).
This Christmas can be the day when you change your life and eternal destination. The Lord Jesus Christ will save you from sin and spiritual death, when you receive Him as your personal Savior. Only then can you ever have a truly “MERRY CHRISTMAS.”
I pray that this Christmas you will draw closer to our dear Lord, and among all the activities that are planned you will make Christ the center of your celebrating the season. After all, he is the Reason for the Season…Sandy and I wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas.
Love and Prayers in Christ,
Bro. Randy Davis
