Dearly beloved, let us see through the scriptures how we should celebrate the birth of our saviour. The word tells us a few things that happened the night when Jesus was born and those events give us the message of true Christmas celebration.
The gospel of Luke 2: 15- 20 tells us what happened that night;
Luk 2:15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
Luk 2:16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
Luk 2:17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
Luk 2:18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
Luk 2:19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
Luk 2:20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
When the angles revealed to the shepherds that Jesus was born the shepherds did not just stay back but immediately they started off to see for themselves what they had heard of. The shepherd did three things:
Firstly, they went to Bethlehem to see Jesus.
Secondly, they made it known abroad the saying which was told them concerning the child and thirdly they glorified and praised God for all things that they had heard and seen. We also need to lay down all our important jobs and should respond to the voice of the Lord because word of the Lord says in
Heb 3:7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,
Heb 3:8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness.
We need to come to Jesus searching him wholeheartedly because God is near those who search him wholeheartedly. Then, as the shepherds spread the news of all that they had heard and seen, to all they met, we also need to proclaim the good news that Jesus alone is the saviour and redeemer to all who we can reach.
And thirdly like the shepherds we also should glorify and praise God for sending Jesus His only begotten son so that we can be saved and have the privilege to be called His people, His sons and daughters, Praise the Lord!
Matthew Chapter 2 tells about wise men from the east who came in search of the saviour. There are a few things common between the shepherds and the wise men, like the shepherds the wise men also left their work, their country and started off to see Jesus as soon as they saw the star and the wise men worshipped Jesus. But they did one more thing and that is very very important. They brought him gifts.
Mat 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
The word says they opened their treasures i.e. what they brought was very precious. Today what can we bring unto Jesus? Is not the earth and whatever is on and in it his only, this is what Psalms 50:10,11,12 says.
Than what can we offer to him? What the Lord wants from us is we ourselves, complete surrenderence.
Rom 12:1 says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” When we offer ourselves to the lord, He will use us for His glory, He will make us the vessels in which He can fulfill His Devine wish as is written in
2Co 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
So dearly beloved this Christmas let celebrate the way Lord JESUS wants us to, let us come to the Lord JESUS wholeheartedly, let us worship Him and sing Praises unto Him, let us spread the news that the Messiah has come and above all let us offer ourselves to the Lord as living sacrifices so that His will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Amen,
Praise the Lord, AND A very Happy Christmas!By: Dr. Shine David
