And she gave birth to her first born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:7 ESV

     Mary had given birth to God’s only Son … Jesus. God became flesh and dwelt among His creation once again. The last time God had walked with His creation was in the garden. In the garden Adam and Eve knew god, but on the night of His birth, most of the world didn’t have a clue. There were a few shepherds who were informed by angles and went to see Him, and there were a few wise men who were in route following a star, but in the town of Bethlehem, no one knew. The town was full of tired, grumbling people who were forced to travel to Bethlehem to be counted. Joy might not have been their mindset that particular night in that crowded city. Many traveled that day to a destination, but no one traveled to see a baby that had been born. Jesus: born to to be the Savior of the world, to redeem man and to make possible the forgiveness of sin.

     Many songs have been written of this glorious event… Joy to the World …. Away in the Manger …. O Little town of Bethlehem … Silent Night… and on and on this list could grow. What about the song of YOUR heart? Is your heart singing with the joy of the Savior’s birth? It will be if you know Him as Savior. Savior because you have repented, called upon Jesus’ name, and believed in your heart that you were one of the reasons He came. Words really cannot describe the joy that comes from knowing Him as Savior, but the way we LIVE, can. There is not a cookie cutter pattern for expressing this joy as a Christian. A Christian needs to always live life giving evidence of the fact that they have been born again. Being born again means the Holy Spirit has birthed in you the truth of the manger birth that happened over two thousand years ago. It is the evidence of love, hope, and peace, being manifested in joy for the world to see. Jesus put it this way, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 ESV  It’s to give glory to YOUR FATHER!! Which means you are a child of God born of the Spirit into everlasting life. It’s all because God chose to redeem you unto Himself by the means of His Son. It’s HIS only Son laid in the feeding trough of a barn,  a barn that might have been used to keep the lambs being prepared for sacrifice. Jesus said, “I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” John 12:46 ESV 

     My prayer for all who go by the name Christian is that you may live for Jesus, proclaiming His birth unto all the world. Be the light in a dark world, that others may see the way of truth, and evidence of Jesus. It is for this purpose we have been called. Let us share with the world concerning Jesus, the same message of John when he said, “Behold the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” John 1:29 ESV  With all JOY may we proclaim this message until He comes again, taking us home to live with Him forever. HALLELUJAH !!!!!!

 
Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David