Mat 1:18-25, "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS."
When Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem on that first Christmas morning, it was the greatest intervention of God into man's existence sing the creation of the heavens and the earth.
God has done some truly amazing things throughout history, but none compare to when He stepped into man's experience in the form of a baby, conceived of and born to a virgin.
The greatest need of man is the salvation from his sin, thus God sent His Son, Jesus Christ to save us from our sin.
If man's greatest need was information or an education, God would have sent a teacher or educator.
If man's greatest need was healing or cures for diseases, God would have sent a healer.
If man's greatest need was success and financial prosperity, God would have sent an economist.
But man's greatest need is salvation from sin, so God sent a Savior!
One of the names God gives His son is "Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." The fact that God gives us the plain interpretation of this name tell us that God wants to be sure that everyone understands it's significance.
This name "Emmanuel" indicates to us...
God's Passionate Love For Us. "God WITH us..." means "God in our midst; God participating in our heartaches and joys; God's intimate fellowship with us." God loves us and wants to be with us and us with Him. We want to be with the person and people we love. We figure out some how, some way to be with them. God is holy and our sins have separated us from Him (Isaiah 59:2). However, because of God's great love for us, His solution to this situation is to send His Son to be with us and to take responsibility for our sins upon Himself on the cross and suffer the judgment and separation of our sins on our behalf (2 Corinthians 5:21).
God is not some far removed "deity" with little or no interest or awareness of us. He loves us and wants to be active in our lives. If we know Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, someday we'll go to be with Him. Jesus said He's coming again to receive us unto Himself so that where He is we may be also (John 14:2-3).
God's Power Is Available For Us.
The miraculous virgin conception and birth of the Lord Jesus is a clear display of the awesome power of our God.
Through the power of the Holy Ghost, God placed within the womb of the virgin Mary the embryotic body of Jesus Christ who then, through natural processes grew and developed into an adult man.
This power is now available to New Testament believers through the indwelling Holy Spirit.
God's Plan for Each of Us.
God has a purpose and plan for each of us individually. He wants to use us this coming year and work through us to reach our world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Jesus didn't come as "Emmanuel" to eliminate all our trials and heartaches, but to enable us to live and "abundant" life in spite of the trials of life (John 10:10).
If all Christmas is to me is a Christmas tree, a bunch of Christmas gifts, eggnog and mincemeat pie, family, and friends, then I am missing completely what Christmas is about.
Christmas is "God with us" in the person and power of Jesus Christ the Son of God.
Comments