Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas! Let it be filled with all things beautiful.
Love and Blessings…
She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”[(which means “God with us”).
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. Matt 1:21-25
4 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. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 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.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 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.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2:4-21
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. Isaiah 9:6
The conception and birth of Jesus is a miraculous event that provided the gift of salvation for all people.
From the time of Christ’s birth, Jesus was sought after to be destroyed by authorities and rulers of nations. King Herod, the ruler of Jerusalem commanded the wise men to find Jesus and tell him where he was born so he could come and worship him. However, King Herod was full of deceit.
The wise men were guided by a star in the east. After the wise men arrived in Bethlehem, where they brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, they were told by an angel in a dream not to go back to Herod. Perhaps the wise men were called wise because they heard and obeyed the divine voice of God through a dream. The wise men never returned to Bethlehem but went in a different direction so authorities would not follow them.
Once King Herod found out about Jesus’ birth by the city officials, the king ordered to slaughter all male children under the age of two years. Mary and Joseph had to flee Bethlehem. It must have been a horrific sight to experience and witness the slaughter of innocent children.
Jesus’ birth was full of uncertainty from where to stay prior to his birth to where to go after his birth. Through the chaos and discord, Mary and Joseph were divinely protected and led to the city called Nazareth. This is where Jesus resided until his ministry began. Throughout his ministry, there were many interruptions of persecution, rejection, rivalry, opposition, and strife.
In a dark world, then and now, Jesus is the everlasting light. Jesus is known as, Jehovah Shalom, the Lord of peace. In a world of lost hope and despair, Jesus provides all that we need as we walk in obedience to his word. The Son of God was given as a free gift to deliver us from a life of sin and death.
One-touch from God transforms a life. From sickness to healing, chaos to peace, fear to faith, failure to victory, weakness to strength, unbelief to trust and many other opposing afflictions changes course or direction through faith and prayer.
His love is unconditional, despite our faults and failures. Through our trials and tribulations, the Lord is working to manifest His nature within us. We are made in his image and we’re a reflection of his light. Where there is light, no darkness can reside. We are many members and one body. I Corinth 12:12-26
Let us hold onto hope, joy, peace, and strength. For in him we live, and move, and have our being. Act 17:28 Emmanuel, God is with us. Matt 1:23
Beginning with his birth and infinite, life never-ending Resurrection: It’s an eternal lovethat is the greatest giftof them all.
The Lord gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16
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