C is for Carols.
At Christmas time, we always sing songs called “carols.” Many of these carols are about Santa, Rudolph, and snowmen. Others are about the birth of Christ, and they are good reminders of the true meaning of Christmas. Some carols are just for fun, and others can be for worshipping God. Songs like "O Holy Night" and "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" tell about the miracle of Jesus' birth and remind us of the reconciliation He established between God and repentant sinners.
Matthew 21:16 says that children of all ages can praise God, "And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, “‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise’?”
We can sing the fun carols, and we can sing the worshipful carols, always remembering that without the birth of Jesus, we'd have no reason to sing or celebrate at all!
Showing posts with label ABCs of Christmas (2). Show all posts
Showing posts with label ABCs of Christmas (2). Show all posts
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Monday, December 2, 2013
The ABCs of Christmas: B is for Bethlehem
B is for BETHLEHEM.
At Christmas time, we remember the city of Bethlehem because Jesus was born here! Jesus’ family didn’t live in Bethlehem, but they had to travel there to be counted. Everybody had to return to the city or town from which their ancestors came. Mary and Joseph were both descendants of King David, and David's city was Bethlehem, so Mary and Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem to be counted.
In order to fulfill Old Testament prophesy, Jesus HAD to be born in Bethlehem. Micah 5:2 says, “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.”
When the orders came from Rome for everyone to return to their ancestor's city to be counted, the rulers of the time had no idea that they were setting the stage for this ancient prophecy to be fulfilled, but God knew. God had planned this since the before the beginning of time, and the fact that the Roman rulers were used to accomplish HIS plan points to His sovereignty and faithfulness.
So when we read Luke 2:4, “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,” we are reminded that Jesus fulfilled all Old Testament prophesy, and we can be sure that every Word of God WILL come to pass.
At Christmas time, we remember the city of Bethlehem because Jesus was born here! Jesus’ family didn’t live in Bethlehem, but they had to travel there to be counted. Everybody had to return to the city or town from which their ancestors came. Mary and Joseph were both descendants of King David, and David's city was Bethlehem, so Mary and Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem to be counted.
In order to fulfill Old Testament prophesy, Jesus HAD to be born in Bethlehem. Micah 5:2 says, “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.”
When the orders came from Rome for everyone to return to their ancestor's city to be counted, the rulers of the time had no idea that they were setting the stage for this ancient prophecy to be fulfilled, but God knew. God had planned this since the before the beginning of time, and the fact that the Roman rulers were used to accomplish HIS plan points to His sovereignty and faithfulness.
So when we read Luke 2:4, “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,” we are reminded that Jesus fulfilled all Old Testament prophesy, and we can be sure that every Word of God WILL come to pass.
Sunday, December 1, 2013
ABCs of Christmas: Letter A
Soon after Mary gave birth to Jesus, a group of shepherds were visited by an angel of the Lord:
"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’’” -Luke 2:8-13
God chose to announce the birth of His Son, King Jesus, to these ordinary shepherds. He entrusted the glorious news that the Savior had come to a group of men who had no remarkable social standing or exceptional talents. The Bible says they were terrified (wouldn't you be?) but we also know that they sought out the Baby who had come to fulfill all promises and prophesies of the Old Testament, the Baby who had come to redeem His people. They were afraid, but they were obedient. They didn't have any great gifts to bring, but they came to Jesus.
Isn't that the story of salvation? Isn't that the story of Christmas??
The good news that the shepherds heard is now for all to hear, and just as the shepherds came to Jesus, we can too. I think the shepherds lack of wealth and prestige is to remind us that God doesn't require us to come with a resume of great accomplishments or good works. We come to Him empty handed, no matter who we are or what we have. We are spiritually bankrupt until we come to Christ in salvation. One of my favorite songs says, "if you tarry till you're better, you will never come at all."
The angels said that they brought "good news of great joy" that would be for ALL people: the Savior had come. No message is more worthy of celebration than that!
"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’’” -Luke 2:8-13
God chose to announce the birth of His Son, King Jesus, to these ordinary shepherds. He entrusted the glorious news that the Savior had come to a group of men who had no remarkable social standing or exceptional talents. The Bible says they were terrified (wouldn't you be?) but we also know that they sought out the Baby who had come to fulfill all promises and prophesies of the Old Testament, the Baby who had come to redeem His people. They were afraid, but they were obedient. They didn't have any great gifts to bring, but they came to Jesus.
Isn't that the story of salvation? Isn't that the story of Christmas??
The good news that the shepherds heard is now for all to hear, and just as the shepherds came to Jesus, we can too. I think the shepherds lack of wealth and prestige is to remind us that God doesn't require us to come with a resume of great accomplishments or good works. We come to Him empty handed, no matter who we are or what we have. We are spiritually bankrupt until we come to Christ in salvation. One of my favorite songs says, "if you tarry till you're better, you will never come at all."
The angels said that they brought "good news of great joy" that would be for ALL people: the Savior had come. No message is more worthy of celebration than that!
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