Who is this child born in Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago? It's the most important question you'll ever answer. Nothing else in your life will matter; not your relationships, not your children, not how you were treated as a child, not your job or home, not how much money you have, the state of your health, the politics of your country or what church, if any, you attend. It won't matter if you spent time in jail or lived in a mansion with many servants taking care of your every need. It won't matter if you drove a Mercedes or sat in a golden chariot, traveled around by foot, bicycle, subway or bus.
So, what does matter? To know who Jesus Christ is, and what He has done for those who believe in Him.
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
Acts 4:12
A group of religious Jews asked Jesus - "What must we do to do the works God requires?" A simple, straight forward question; Jesus gave a simple straight forward answer. "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." John 6: 28-29
This world we live in with all its joys and heartaches is so important to us that we often forget that life continues after our earthly body dies. Our soul and spirit, that which is us, will live eternally and God will provide a new body after the one we live in now is gone. You can trust Him to keep His promises!
The Lord took my husband home just a little over a year ago, 12/20/15. I miss him everyday, but I don't mourn because I know He is in the presence of God and couldn't be happier and I will join Him someday. In the meantime, I will enjoy this world - I'll decorate my house, send Christmas cards, make special cookies, buy gifts, sing those wonderful Christmas carols, gather with friends and family and keep alive the family tradition of Swedish dishes my mother and grandmothers used to make.
I've been asked many times where in the Bible Jesus is described. He is described perfectly in these verses.
John 1: 1-14 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. vs. 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." This is what happened in Bethlehem - Mary gave birth to a baby; God became human. Shepherds in the fields saw the star and followed it to where He lay and they worshipped Him.
Philippians 2: 6-11 "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!" God came to us in three different forms, we call this the 'trinity'; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirt. The baby born in Bethlehem is the same as the man who died on a cross to pay for the sin of all who believe in Him.
Colossians 1: 15 - 20 "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created. . ."
This passage is generally thought to describe the supremacy of Christ. Again, it describes who Jesus is, that He was with God in the beginning during the creation of the world and what His life, death and resurrection mean for believers.
Hebrews 1: 1-14 "The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word." vs. 3 This passage may very well take your breath away! Awesome words that you must know so you can share them with others.
I've just given you a lot of homework; enjoy the study. Relax and enjoy the Christmas season with friends and family and keep in mind, it is only by faith that we can understand who Jesus is. We all have people in our lives who just 'don't get it'! Share the Lord when you see an opportunity and most of all - show the love of Jesus no matter what others believe or don't believe. We are saved by grace through faith which is a gift of God - Ephesians 2:8-9. Be humbled and grateful that God has given you the gift of faith and trust Him for those who don't have it. This world seems like a scary mess, but keep in mind that a day will come "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow. . .and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord." Philippians 2: 10-11.
I must say something about Santa Claus. My husband had a beautiful Santa suit and he loved to play Santa. He said the look on the children's faces was worth all the trouble it took to get in costume. Some Christian parents wonder how much of a roll Santa should play. You might want to scroll down the blog posts and read one I wrote about the origin of St. Nicholas and his Christian roots on 12/2 14. You'll feel good about Santa and I think it's important to tell your children that the first Santa loved Jesus as His Lord and Savior.
So, can you answer this question - Who is this child born in Bethlehem?
Thank you Lord for coming to earth to walk among us. May your story penetrate the hearts and lives of all who read it in Your Word.
