by David Brenneman
Joy to the world; the Lord is come;
Let Earth receive her King;
Let ev'ry heart prepare him room,
And heav'n and nature sing.
Joy to the Earth, the Savior reigns;
Our mortal songs employ,
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains,
Repeat the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make his blessings flow
Far as the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of his righteousness,
And wonders of his love.
- "Joy to the World" Isaac Watts 1719.
A star in the East leading Wise Men to Him
He and His mother bringing gifts to them
A sign telling all the Christ Child is born
On this first Christmas morn
Shepherds lay trembling from fear some were fleeing
The East sky ablaze what could they be seeing
They heard of a Savior soon to be born
Had he come on this first Christmas morn
Could this be the day a new world begins
Can this tiny child walk through life free from sin
Has mankind been blessed with a port from all storms
On this first Christmas morn
These things came to pass as now we all know
May these thoughts be planted in our minds to grow
Let's not forget why He wore a crown of thorns
On this next Christmas morn
Could this be the day a new world begins
Can this tiny child walk through life free from sin
Has mankind been blessed with a port from all storms
On this first Christmas morn
-"The First Christmas Morn" - Charley Pride 1970
Today's Christmas Eve and in many ways its more than the day before Christmas. The world's not lost in its ability to be wrapped up in turmoil. Wars still rage, cities are wracked with crime and people are still trying to do whatever is right in their own eyes.
Not what you were expecting is it?
In the days of Christmas past, the very first Christmas that is, the silence from God for over 400 years was broken by the coming of the forerunner of the Lord, John the Baptist. Then again at the coming of the Son of God in the flesh, Jesus Christ. The world was full of the same as it is today. Religious leaders having established a rule and regulation system that they profited from. Real thoughts weren't happening anymore to honestly looking to the fulfillment of the Scriptures. Same as it is today.
"Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.” For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:3-9.
Many live lives today in much this same way. Many preaching a gospel that isn't what Jesus meant. They take advantage of people and profit off of them.
The promise of His coming the first time is what tomorrow is all about.
The promise of His return is as much a certainty as the first time.
EC people need to realize the times in which they live and realize they're at the doorstep of eternity at any given moment. EC people show up at a Church on Easter and Christmas only. This hardly constitutes a real relationship with Jesus who was beyond abused, beaten, spit upon, scourged, forced to carry His own cross, everything necessary to save them from an eternity separated from God.
The angels came to the shepherds to tell of what they could hardly contain! Hundreds of Scriptures were being fulfilled and they were the first to be privy to it. They couldn't help but run to go see for themselves.
Doesn't Christmas mean more to you than presents and a meal? Doesn't it mean more than what you get out of it?
The angels probably still celebrate that first Christmas morn and in ways the world has quickly forgotten.
Remembering why He came starts with how great the love of the Father has for each of us that He would send His Son to die in our place. Gold, frankensense and myrrh. Gold for His royalty. Frankensense for His sacrificial offering. Myrrh for His eventual death.
Satan would love it all the more if you would lose sight of what this time of year is really about. As the story goes Charles Schultz insisted on Linus saying what Christmas is all about because if they wouldn't, who would?
"In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” Luke 2:8-14.
Turn your whole heart to receive the greatest gift of all if you haven't chosen yet to receive the free gift of salvation. That's why Jesus came. That's why He died and arose 3 days later. He came to save you.
Remember these things tomorrow morning before you get into the presents and the family gathering.
Remember it too if you haven't family or presents either.
Jesus Christ is the greatest gift of all.
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
(C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation.
A corporation not for profit.
La Habra, CA All rights reserved
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