How Do You Say Christmas?

Tis the season… for what?

To go shopping…

To be merry…

To make Figgie pudding…

Plus the standing rib roast… yes…

The 12 Scents Of Christmas…

How Do You Say Christmas? Another one to ponder that I have never written down. Well, today’s the day – here are my thoughts and Bible verses on how to explain what Christmas is about… all in one neat little package:

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”

But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”

And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Luke 1:26-35

Next up for the angels: a vision in a dream to Joseph…

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus. Matthew 1:18-25

I’m thinking the buy in from Mary and Joseph required extraordinary faith and obedience… and a little know how from the prophecy of Isaiah and Jeremiah… spoken hundreds of years earlier. The story of the coming Messiah…

And it came to pass in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2: 1-14

And so Jesus was born into mankind. Wholly man, wholly God. Love was born on that day. What? Yes, 1 John 4:8 says that God is love. But why did He come? To save all of humanity from their sins.

For the Son of man came to seek and to save what was lost. Luke 19:10

He gave us an opportunity, or choice… believe. That’s it, just believe. For the wages for sin are death, and all of humanity failed in that regard. There is no other way to the Father other than through Jesus.

And if you are interested in the perspective from heaven of the Christmas story, check it out in the book of Revelation Chapter 12. Wait what what? Yes, you can understand it from a heavenly perspective… if you find Revelation to be confusing try this video – explains it perfectly.

“From a heavenly perspective, Jesus isn’t simply a cuddly little baby born into a silent night, but God’s Almighty Son sent behind enemy lines on a rescue mission.” Joby Martin

And so on Christmas a child is born, our Savior. The story of his life continues through Easter, when we remember His death and resurrection. Continues? Yes, continues and points to Jesus… on into eternity.

How do you say Christmas? Are you prepared to share the story of what Christmas is all about?

image courtesy of Dilly Dul on G+