Christmas is almost here!
To much of the world it’s a time of Santa Clause and gift giving, with the recipients of those gifts, both young and adult kids, eagerly ripping off the paper that’s hiding the gift so lovingly wrapped. It’s also a time where the thoughts of some turn to the, “reason for the season”, while they desire peace and good will for all.
Christians see it similarly too, with the reminder it’s also the day we celebrate Christ’s birth, often with a traditional reading of the wonderful things that happened when He was born.
In the story, the angels appeared to the Shepherds and told them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Those words, my friends, tell us that behind the Christmas story there’s an even greater story to hear and share!
It’s a story that impacts you and me too. It’s a story of mystery and wonder, lies and betrayal and its unexpected consequences. It’s a story of love and compassion, and a battle between good and evil. It’s a story of political power and religion misused.
But best of all, it’s a story that tells us how a one-of-a-kind Light can help us overcome the world’s deepest darkness, and how hope can replace despair, peace replace turmoil, joy replace desolation, comfort replace misery … and more.
All made possible by the one who was born so long ago and placed in a lowly manger. For he was destined to later bring “good news” to the world, like the angels told the shepherd.
He came so that we might have life, and have it more abundantly[1] … when we follow God’s plan and are born again.
It’s true, Jesus came to give us hope by showing us the path to real life. And he died and was resurrected to prove it all … so that we might believe, trust and live. For there were many witnesses to it all, including to his death and resurrection, and He even left behind the proof.
Click here to read the story behind the story for yourself, and why well-over 2,000 years later his birth is still celebrated as a priceless gift from God by many around the world, even today.
[1] “… I came that they may have life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]. I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His [own] life for the sheep.” (John 10:10-11, Amplified Bible)
If you would like to comment, please scroll down below "Recent Posts". Thank you, and have a wonderful Christmas.