"For
unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be
upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The
mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and
upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with
justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will
perform this." ( Isaiah 9: 6-7)
"But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the
thousands of Judah, yet out of thee
shall he come forth unto me that is
to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have
been from of old, from everlasting." ( Micah 5: 2)
( And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while there were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
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, good will toward men" ( Luke 2: 1-14)
"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." ( 1 Tim 3:16)
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." ( John 1: 1-3, 14)
Christmas has a special meaning for those of us who are Christians. We celebrate it not merely for the reason that we believe God took upon Himself flesh and dwelt among us, but more importantly that He took upon Himself flesh for one reason - so that He might offer Himself upon a bloody cross as a sacrifice for the sins all who would come to believe upon Him, thereby satisfying the claims of Divine Justice in His own person and opening the gate to eternal life. This is our "Good News" or Gospel message.
Gold may be a precious thing, as is silver, and we value them in this life, but one cannot take either of them with us when we exit this world. They only have value in this life. As Christians we take the time during this season to reflect on those things which have lasting value.
May you have a wonderful and blessed Christmas.
