John 1:14 – And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 3:16 – For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Joseph must have been frantically looking for a place to stay for the night. Mary was probably already in labor. She was young, it was her first child and she was going through the same pain in childbirth that every mother has when giving birth. Bethlehem was full of travelers. It was a small village with a very limited number of inns. Maybe only one, and the was no room. The innkeeper took pity on Joseph and Mary and allowed them room in his stable.
Most people look at the innkeeper as unfeeling but if you think about it he really did an act of kindness, plus scripture was being fulfilled.
If the innkeeper had known who was to be born in his stable, maybe he would have given up his own room for JESUS.
JESUS wants the best from us. Our gift to Him this Christmas should be giving Him every room in our heart.
Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Can you imagine Elizabeth’s joy to share with her friends and family that, after all this time, in her old age, she was finally going to be a mother? And how exciting that her son was the one God had chosen to prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah!
Elizabeth had a visitor. Mary, her cousin came to see her, probably to share the news that she was expecting a baby, who was to be the Savior.
When Elizabeth saw Mary, her baby leapt in her womb. Elizabeth what is overjoyed that the mother of the Savior came to visit her.
Luke 1:36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
Luke 1:41-42 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
The next 10 days for a lot of people will be the busiest time of year preparing for that perfect Christmas gift. Shopping in crowded stores, looking at catalogs, shopping on line.
The best gift you can give anyone is telling them about Jesus. For your unsaved friend, coworker or relative their best gift would be receiving Jesus as their Savior.
For your Christian loved ones a time of fellowship, a phone call or a message. Your time is more precious than any gift you could possibly buy.
Enjoy the Christmas season but don’t forget the best gift ever given…..Jesus.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that HE gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life
If you think about it, it’s a bit strange for someone to put goodies in an old sock. But like many Christmas traditions, the tradition of Christmas stockings comes from an old legend.
A long time ago (so the story goes), a poor man had three daughters and couldn’t afford to give them a dowry (money or goods given to the groom’s family by the bride’s family). In those days, it was very hard for a woman to get married without a dowry. A Christian bishop named Nicholas heard about the problem and wanted to help, but the man refused to accept money. One night, Nicholas threw three balls made of pure gold in through the open window of the man’s house. Each one landed in a stocking hung by the fire to dry. The next morning, each daughter found a gold ball in her stocking. With this bounty, they were all able to get married.
Stockings can remind us of the importance of service. The greatest example of service is Jesus Christ. He always “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38).
Take some time to think about the Savior’s selfless acts of service. How can you give Christlike service and show kindness to others this Christmas Season?
Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
It wasn’t until about the nineteenth century that we find Christianity absorbing the bright, cheery symbolism of the Christmas tree. The Christians had long held the fir as a symbol of the Tree of Life.
Early Christians knew their symbolism well, as they added candles and apples to their Christmas firs. These candles represented the light of Christ. The apples symbolized knowledge which spawned man’s original sin according to Christian belief.
Here we see the light of Christ forgiving the “fall of man” within the symbol of the Christmas tree.
Revelation 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
It’s hard to go anywhere during Christmas without seeing stars hanging from street lamps or sitting on top of Christmas trees.
The star is one of the most recognizable symbols of the holiday. It represents the star that appeared in the sky when Jesus Christ was born. The star led the Wise Men to Jesus and reminds us to follow the light of the Savior just as the Wise Men followed the light of the star to find Him.
Have you found Him?
Matthew 2:1&2 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
For centuries, bells have been rung to announce the arrival of the Christmas season.
They symbolize the announcement of the birth of Jesus when angels in heaven praised God and declared, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:14
Candles are a tradition of Christmas. Before electricity they were used to light Christmas trees, as well as light for the home after dark. Today, we use them as decorations. We scent them with Christmas smells, pine, peppermint and others to make our homes smell like Christmas.
The Christian meaning of the candle is that Jesus is the light of the world. We no longer walk in darkness of sin when we accept Jesus as our Savior.
John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Mistletoe symbolizes the love we are able to offer to others only because of Christ who “first loves us.”
This year, tell family and friends about the true meaning of mistletoe. Be sure to let them know that the corresponding kiss is a symbol of peace, romance and the love of a Heavenly Father who sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross, was buried and rose again on the third day, as the payment for all our sins.
God’s love for us is the true meaning of Christmas.
1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.
Center for Evangelists 
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