merry christmas!
Isaiah 9:6- For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Merry Christmas, happy holidays! The day has finally arrived, and I am still trying to “wrap” my head around the thought of Christmas already being here. How did it arrive so quickly? This is my favorite Holiday of the year! I love the time I get to spend with family, the traditions we do, not only on Christmas, but also the days leading up to it. Such as Chocolate advents, reading through Luke, and really slowing down to focus on what the Christmas season is really about! Christmas is here, and Jesus is born! Do you know what Christmas is all about? Gifts are great- I love receiving gifts from family and friends, and giving them as well. But centuries ago God gave us the best gift you will ever receive, and that is Jesus Christ, Immanuel, God with us. And today this is the story I would like to share with you, so get comfy, grab a snack, and let’s get into it!
Many of you might have heard this story as a kid. The story of Jesus’ birth. I know I grew up knowing a bit about it, but as a kid I didn’t really take it all in, or even really understand what it meant. All I cared about was the time I got with family, the holiday movies we would watch, and the gifts I would receive on Christmas day.
As I have gotten older I’ve been diving deeper into my walk with Christ, and what Christmas is truly about! It’s about the birth of Jesus Christ. God sent Jesus into this world as a baby boy to show us His everlasting love, as well as who God really is!
Everyone thought Jesus would be born a king. A wealthy guy who only the highest people on Earth would know. But that was far from the truth! Jesus was born in a stable, to a mother who was only a teenager, and a father who was a carpenter!
Matthew 1:18-21 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph, her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
Isn’t that incredible? God didn’t choose the rich, but the the poor, to have His son be born into! Jesus was a stranger to the world.
Joseph didn’t think he was capable of caring for Mary and Jesus, so he was going to divorce her in secret. That way they wouldn’t be judged by the world even more. But the angel said “do not be afraid!”
God had a plan, and He was with them working everything out for the good of the world. I love these scriptures because it explains how Jesus was born the same way you and I were, human, from the womb of His mother, Mary!
So, here are some questions for you to ponder: What does Christmas mean to you? How does the birth of Jesus affect you?
Christmas to me means celebrating Jesus being born to us so we would know God, know His love, and be saved and set free from our sins. God is love, and I am so excited to see what more He has for me this Holiday season as well as the new year to come!
I hope, and pray, that today fills you with so much joy, love, and peace! I pray you are able to spend some time with loved ones this Holiday season. Remember, God loves you so much, and He sees you right where you are!
What have you learned in the days leading up to Christmas? I learned to slow down, and really lean into what God has for me.
Praying for you all! Merry Christmas!
