In less than one week, we will be celebrating Christmas once again!  It’s a splendid time of the year where many gather together to celebrate among friends and family with eating, festivities, and the exchanging of gifts.  For some, it is such a momentous occasion as it affords sentimental time shared together that can only be experienced once a year – and for some, the periods between time spent together can be years and years!  As we celebrate Christmas, lets take a moment to ponder, and perhaps even make a list, of the wonderful blessings that we have in our life – from family and friends, to opportunities that we may have, and to the material things we may possess.  We know that every good and perfect gift comes down from our Heavenly Father who never changes!

We don’t have to look further than the word Christmas to understand what the season revolves around.  We celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ the Messiah!  Isaiah 9:6-7 says “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.”  So momentous was His coming that a Star appeared in the night sky to the Magi who were astrologers from the east, who came to worship this new King!  Without going into much depth into this rich history, they understood this phenomenon, the appearing of this special star, as the fulfillment of prophecy – the Messiah had come.

Before John the Baptist was born, his mother Elizabeth felt him leap in her womb when the pregnant Mary, the mother of Jesus, came to her and greeted her.  The Holy Spirit came upon Elizabeth and she exclaimed “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb…For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy!” (Luke 1:39-45).  It would be about 30 years later when John would see Jesus and say “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”  God sent John to prepare the way for the Messiah, and as John baptized Jesus in the water, the Holy Spirit came upon Him.  It was following this that Jesus would begin His ministry and be led ultimately to His crucifixion and resurrection from the dead – the innocent Lord Jesus born of a Virgin, worshiped as King, crucified as a criminal, and raised as our Justifier.

This Christmas, let us be like these in Luke 2:13-14 which says “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 among those with whom he is pleased!’”  Let us rejoice for this Heavenly Gift that had come to a dark, dead world to breathe Light and Life into it, to rescue us from the domain of darkness and bring us unto Himself, to give us eternal life that is only found in Him!  Glory to God in the highest, who saves and sanctifies all who call on His name, those who confess Him as their Lord and Savior!  Amen!

– Pastor Josiah