Christmas: the truth and beauty.
If you know me, you know that hot coffee and decorating a gingerbread house are the way to my heart. The Christmas season brings me so much joy and my day is brightened at the sight of red and green decor. As my faith journey continues to grow, I have a greater love and joy for Christmas, as we remember the birth of our Savior. This December, the Lord held me in awe as I read through the book of Luke. He opened my eyes to the fulfillment of the prophecies and how beautiful and true Jesus’ life is!
May we look at the prophecies together and remember how beautiful this story is.
Isaiah 7:14 — Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and call him Immanuel. Out of Mary, a Virgin, came Immanuel, God with us.
Luke 1:31-38.
Mary was greatly troubled by his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God and will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin? “The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth, your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail” I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
Mary questioned how this could be possible, but she never doubted or denied God. She simply said, “I am the Lord’s servant” and obeyed. May we trust in and obey God like Mary. Our God is a God of possibility. He can do all things, for nothing is impossible to Him. Yes, Mary wondered how, but she didn’t fully doubt, rather she trusted and obeyed.
Micah 5:2 — “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
Bethlehem was small among the clans of Judah, but out of that town would come the Savior of the world. And He would not come grandly, but humbly in a manger. In history, a baby has become a king many times, but only once did a King become a baby.
The birth and life of Jesus is something so beautiful. The King of world was born. The Savior came for the people. He would soon take on the sins of the world. This Christmas, let us reflect on it and praise God for sending His son to us!
And lastly, may we remember:
1) Christmas isn’t about the presents under the tree, but the Savior that came to set the captives free.
2) John 3:16, For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
3) The Son of God came not with pride or riches, but humbly in a manger with great love for the world.
I hope this read encouraged and reminded you of the true beauty of Christmas. I am wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
