Luke 2:14 reads, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
Peace on earth? It doesn’t look like it. The world is full of conflict. Since the angels’ announcement we have seen an endless string of wars. The peace announced by the angels and brought by Jesus was very different than the end of war itself because fighting and war has gone on since the time of Jesus.
+ Plus, listen to Josh Groban singing “Glory to God in the Highest”
Children and retailers love it. Parents spend months paying for it! Still, when it’s all said and done—and paid for!—Christmas means family, friends, gifts, and lasting memories. Ever wonder what Christmas means to God? After all, it began as the celebration of His Son’s birth. The Christ Child is more than just a convenient backdrop for holiday festivities. In fact, Jesus Christ came to earth on a mission. His birth set in motion a plan that eventually led Him to die…for all of us. The real meaning is not wrapped up in the Baby in a manger, but in what His birth, life, death, and resurrection accomplished.
+ Plus, listen to Tobymac and Jamie Grace singing “Mary’s Boy Child”
Two thousand years ago, a baby was born in a stable. The stable was in a small town that was part of a defeated nation occupied by the Romans. The nation was Israel, the town was Bethlehem, and the baby’s name was Jesus. Over two thousand years later, people all over the world still celebrate His birth… but why?
The Bible tells us that Jesus was not an ordinary baby. In fact, this baby was the God of the universe clothed in human flesh. That’s right. Jesus is actually God, in human flesh, who came to this earth because mankind had been separated from Him by their sin. Jesus became a man so that He could reunite mankind with God.
John 8:12 reads, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
If there is one truth that leaps out at us from the pages of Scripture at Christmas, it is this: Jesus came to be the Light of the world! Light came into this dark world when Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
Christmas is about light! We love to sing the Christmas carol, “Silent Night.” But this great hymn is not about night or darkness. It’s about the Light. The third stanza of “Silent Night” says, “Son of God, love’s pure light. Radiant beams from Thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace.”
We sing another Christmas carol, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” The last stanza invites us to “Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Son of righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, risen with healing in His wings.”
We sing at Christmas because we have something to sing about! Light has come into the world, and we don’t ever need to walk in darkness again!
+ Plus, listen to Casting Crowns singing “Silent Night”
In the first message of this two-part Christmas series, Daniel Whyte III talks about three reasons why Jesus Christ is precious to us.
1. Jesus is precious because His name is precious. His name is precious because it is a personal name, it is a powerful name, and it is a permanent name.
2. Jesus is precious because He is precious to the Father.
3. Jesus is precious because of His work.
Plus, listen to Ricky Dillard and New G as they sing “Joy to the World” and Casting Crowns singing “O Come All Ye Faithful”.
2 Corinthians 9:15 reads, “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”
Once again it is the season for the giving of gifts. In the atmosphere of secrecy, love and thoughtfulness combine to plan surprises of delight. The home is aglow with fervent expectancy, as something desired—something needed—is carefully selected, wrapped and hidden away until the day arrives. In it all, however, there is a fresh reminder of God’s eternal plan of love to meet the dire need of man’s soul, and provide THE BEST GIFT to completely satisfy and delight his heart. This is the gift of unspeakable worth. This is God’s gift of eternal life. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Galatians 4:4 reads, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son.”
How old is the story of Christmas? While it’s true that the events of Christmas—the birth of Jesus Christ—took place 2,000 years ago, the story of Christmas was being written for hundreds and even thousands of years before that blessed day.
The beginning of the story of Christmas was told in the Garden of Eden, the paradise where Adam and Eve lived in harmony with God until they disobeyed His command. Because of Satan’s deceptive actions and temptation which led Adam and Eve to sin, God pronounced a judgment against him. The judgment, in Genesis 3:15, revealed that the seed of the woman (Jesus Christ) would bruise the head of the serpent (Satan). The sins of our first parents, as well as the sins of every person who has lived since then, created a need and a longing for a Redeemer who could conquer sin and restore mankind’s relationship with God…
+ Plus, listen to Andrae Crouch singing “Away in a Manger”
There is a special blessing in the Christmas message which is frequently missed by many. The birth of Jesus is not simply an interesting fact of history wholly unrelated to your present life, but rather it has a direct bearing upon it.
When the angel announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds, the personal importance of His coming was emphasized. He said in Luke 2:10-11, ’’And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
Have you ever thought that it was for you the Saviour was born? Do you realize that when God sent His Son into the world, He sent Him to become your Saviour? Listen to the word of the herald angel, ’’I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.’’ Yes, it was for you that Jesus came.
+ Plus, listen to Rebecca St. James singing “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
It is hard to believe it’s that time of the year again. From now until Christmas Eve, retailers are vying for the same prize, your hard-earned dollar. In the misguided and too often materialistic focus of the Christmas holiday, it has become too easy to forget the true meaning of Christmas.
Christmas is not about the endless search for the best gift to be opened on Christmas morning. In fact, the true gift of Christmas is not a material thing at all. The true gift of Christmas is a perfect, priceless, gift of love.
The Gospel Light Minute X 