Sometimes we feel alone or depressed, especially after the holiday season is over. Maybe looking forward to the weekend is not joyful for you, but there is someone who loves you and is with you. You are not alone. Jesus is always there not only on Friday but every day of the week, month and year.
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
After the wise men’s visit, Joseph was warned in a dream to take Jesus and Mary and flee to Egypt. Herod was seeking to kill Jesus and not getting a report back from the wise men he had all the young children in Bethlehem killed. But Jesus was safe and the little family stayed in Egypt until Herod was dead.
Then once again Joseph had a dream and returned but went to live in Nazareth where Jesus grew from childhood until He started His earthly ministry.
God’s Word is true. Every prophesy concerning Jesus birth was fulfilled down to the last detail. Many people leave Jesus in the manger as a baby but do not believe future events also predicted in the Bible. Jesus is the Messiah, He did die on the cross and He is coming again to rule and reign over all the world. Are you ready for a great future with Jesus the coming King?
Matthew 2:13-15 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
The account of the wise men who came to worship Jesus is found in Matthew 2:1-12. Tradition says they were three kings who came from the east but the country they came from is not mentioned. They were thought to be 3 because of the number of gifts and kings because of the value of the gold, frankincense and myrrh.
They followed a star which appeared in the heavens until they came to Jerusalem and inquired of Herod where the King was born. Herod wanted to know more about this baby and asked the wise men to bring news of His whereabouts when they found Him. They continued to follow the star, presented their gifts and worshiped Jesus.
Jesus was not in the manger at the time the wise men found him, as is often pictured in Christmas cards and manger scenes, but was now a young child as the Bible states. Probably about 2 years old or a little younger and was in a house with Mary his mother. Then being warned in a dream the wise men went a different way back to their country and did not report to Herod.
There is a saying,”Wise men still seek Him”. Are you seeking Jesus? What He wants is our desire to follow Him as the wise men followed the star and to worship Him and give the gift of ourselves to Him. Are you wise?
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
Mary, a young virgin, was engaged to Joseph. God chose her to be the mother of the Lord Jesus. When Gabriel came to her she was frightened at first, listened to his message and then was humble and honored. In those days being pregnant without marriage was a great disgrace but Mary was willing to obey.When the angel told her of Elisabeth’s pregnancy, Mary, went to stay with her. Elisabeth confirmed what the angel had told her because the baby leaped in her womb.
If you have not read and thought about the people in the unfolding Christmas story it would be good to read it again. We learn much about obedience and love of God as we realize that every person was human and had the same emotions, fears, joys and problems we do. Mary is a great example to us and she surely was blessed among women.
Luke 1:30-31 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary:for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.
Only two angels are mentioned by name in the New Testament. Gabriel and Michael. Gabriel was an archangel who was a messenger sent by God to deliver news to Zacariah and then later to Mary. Gabriel is also mentioned in the book of Daniel in the Old Testament. Angels had an important role in the birth of the Lord Jesus. Their presence brought fear into the hearts of the people they appeared to according to scripture.
We tend to forget that people like Zacariah, Mary and Joseph were just ordinary people that God used in extraordinary circumstances. If Gabriel appeared to us today we too would be afraid. As Christians we can look forward to the time when we will see angels in Heaven. What a wonderful future we have and there will be no fear, only wonder and beauty as we behold Heaven and meet Jesus face to face.
Luke 1:19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
Luke 1:26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
(It has been a blessing to see the symbols of Christmas and we look now to the people that the Bible recorded about the birth of Jesus)
The next 12 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?
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’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.
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
