reason for the season
Merry Christmas everyone! I pray this holiday season has filled you and your loved ones with so much joy, love, and happiness. If you aren’t having the merriest holiday, because you lost someone you love, are in the hospital, or are feeling anxious or depressed. Do not fear, or be discouraged, Because the Lord God is watching over you, He has a plan and purpose for you in this season, and I am praying for you all.
Today I wanted to share with you all the true meaning of Christmas, and why we celebrate. The month of December is called Advent. Advent means “Coming or Arrival”
Many, many years ago on this day a child was born, and His name is Jesus.
-Luke 1:26-38-
“In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said,
“Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!”
But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her,
“Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” and the angel answered her,
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy— the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing is impossible with God.”
And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Wow, I absolutely love the response Mary has. With faith she tells the angel “Let it be.”
Gabriel the angel told Mary that she was favored by God and that she was chosen to be the mother of Jesus, the king of the world, our Savior! The one who died for us and our sins. How do you think she felt about that? Scared? Unsure of how to do it? Even if she was filled with some fear she had full faith in God. He had a plan greater than she could have ever imagined. You know what? Jesus came into the world just like you and me, human. He cried, laughed, walked on this earth. He grew up exactly as we did. There was one thing that was different though. He knew NO sin. At least not until He sacrificed Himself on the cross so we could be saved, and connected to God.
-2 Corinthians 5:21-
“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
-Luke 2:7-
“And she gave birth to her first born son and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the Inn”
Jesus was born in a barn and laid in a manger, which is a feeding trough for the animals. I bet Mary and Joseph never thought they would have their first son, Jesus, in a messy barn. I wonder what was on their mind when they realized they wouldn't be in a warm house when it came to Jesus being born. I know I personally don't dream of having a child in a barn, or outdoors in general. But God knew, and He provided everything for them. God is so good!
So, what is the meaning of Christmas? Well, some think it’s the gifts we receive or the gifts we give. Others say it’s family, friends, and loved ones. The truth is it’s not about any of those things. Now don’t get me wrong, I love giving and receiving gifts on Christmas morning, and spending time with my loved ones means so much! But really, Christmas is all about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. I always think, what was on everyone’s mind during the time Jesus was born? I bet Mary and Joseph were so joyful to see their son Jesus, and also fearful of the world around them because there was so much danger. No matter what stood in their way, they kept their eyes on God and trusted Him with everything they had.
Knowing what Jesus did for us those many years ago is so encouraging. Christmas always brings me so much joy, because I know that this is when Jesus saved us all from our sins, and really allowed us to live a life following God with everything we have.
Always remember that no matter how scary things may seem in the moment, putting your trust in God, and living for Him in the good and bad is the best thing you could ever do. I pray this Christmas Day brings you so much hope, joy, and peace as you spend time with your family, friends, loved ones, and most importantly, Jesus.
Love you all, and remember, Jesus is with you! Merry Christmas!!
