GOD’S GIFT OF JESUS
Christmas is rich with meaning. We celebrate Jesus coming into our world (I Tim. 1:15). The appearing of Jesus (II Tim. 1:10) had significance. Jesus Christ of the seed of David (II Tim. 2:8) was God manifest in the flesh (I Tim. 3:16). Jesus came to live on earth to be a mediator between God and humans (I Tim. 2:5).
Memories
Everyone has memories of Christmas. I recall as a youngster asking Santa for a cowgirl outfit. I wore it out playing in it so much. Another year my parents gave me a bicycle.
The best gift anybody ever gave me was when God saved my soul from sin. That is one day etched forever in my memory.
God’s Gift
At Christmas we remember God gave us a gift. Jesus left heaven’s home life, surely a wonderful place to live, and took up residence in our backyard. One reason He came to Planet Earth was to show people how God would live life if earth had been His home. Jesus was God in the flesh. No wonder then God made such a big deal of Jesus’ birth!
Jesus needed a home to live in when He was growing up, and parents to raise Him. God planned all the details long before the world existed, and when the time was right, He sent an angel to make the announcement.
Joseph and Mary were engaged to be married. They did not live together, and God sent an angel to each of them where they lived to give them advance notice. To Mary the angel said she would give birth to God’s Son, Jesus. A few months later the angel directed Joseph to take Mary home to be his wife. The angel reassured him concerning the child Mary was carrying in her womb (Matt. 1:18-21; Luke 1:26-38).
Announcing the birth
On the day Jesus was born, God sent angels to shepherds on guard duty, watching their sheep at night. The angels announced with great fanfare good tidings of great joy for all people. They said a Savior was born that very day and gave them clues on how to find Him.
After the angels disappeared the shepherds had a brief meeting. They decided to join the celebration. They traveled to Bethlehem and “found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger” (Luke 2:16). After leaving this humble scene, the shepherds mentioned to everyone they came across what the angels had told them about this baby. God used shepherds as social media (Luke 2:17-18).
When you select a gift for someone, do you choose something personal to give?
Shirley Logsdon