In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to his own town to register.
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. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
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 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."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
That is the story of Christmas. But why is it so important? It's because of what He would soon do. He would die to save us all from out sins. John 3:16-17 says,
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
That is why we celebrate the day of Jesus Christ's birth. Because He came down, lived on earth, and then He died on a cross to save us all from our sins. Stop! Take a long moment to think about all the sins you have committed in the past year. You died every time you sinned. And every time He forgave you for it, and saved you from an eternal death. And by doing so, He gave you a one way trip to Heaven. Heaven, an eternity in the greatest world ever made with the God who made you and loves you beyond any comprehension. Those presents and lights look meaningless now don't they? They should. Because we have been given a gift that will last for all eternity.
I say this to everyone, rich or poor right now. Whether you have presents for Christmas, or nothing. Whether you have a great big family, or a small broken family. Be content with what you have.
Jesus the Son of God came down not in a great castle, or the best temple. No, Jesus came down in a stable, and slept in a manger with no one admiring him but poor shepherds. The Son of GOD, came down with nothing as a baby. So, the Son of the God who made the entire universe and beyond came into the world with nothing, lived among sinners, and then died on the cross to save us, who are constantly ungrateful. Even on the day celebrating His birth when we ask for more and more and more stuff that, guess what, is going to rot and rust and whither away. If you haven't already realized it, then I will say it. All material things do not matter! Hebrews 13:5 says,
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
The thing we have that the verse is talking about is not the material items we own. It's the gift God gave us. Salvation through His Son Jesus Christ. Nothing else matters if you have that. Because that tree, those lights, and all those gifts won't mean anything when you're dead. But the gift God gave us goes on for an eternity after our death, in fact, it's the greatest part of it. He GAVE you Life! What else do you need? Nothing! Absolutely nothing!
This is what Christmas is truly about. The birth of the Savior who gave us the greatest gift anyone could ever receive. So, tonight, I ask that you pray to God for forgiveness for your sins, and Thank Him for all you have, most of all, what He did for you. On Christmas Day, before you get up, take a long moment, and think about what it means that you are forgiven for your sins. And thank God for every time He has ever forgiven you. Because without that forgiveness, you would be dead, but because you have it, you are now saved. And one day, you will begin an eternity with Him in Heaven. So thank Him. Thank Jesus Christ for giving you the greatest gift that could ever be given.
Thank You For Reading
Long Live Jesus Christ
Amen
Merry Christmas
Long Live Jesus Christ
Amen
Merry Christmas
