Christmas is the celebration of the One who was given to redeem mankind from what took place in the Garden of Eden. Man was separated from his source of life, God, through disobedience. This brought in the sin into the world. God gave us His word that He would fix this problem through the Gift of His Son.
Genesis 3:15
15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
This was the prophecy for the plan of God for man’s redemption. This was spoken over 4000 years ago.
About 3200 years later, the Spirit of God, through Isaiah the prophet of God gives us an affirmation of Gods plan of redemption for mankind.
ISAIAH 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
What a wonderful word from God to the children of Israel concerning the redeemer. They have been through a whole lot in 3200 years.
Then we receive another affirmation to our Redeemer in Isaiah.
Isaiah 7:14
14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Isaiah stated that Immanuel would be born of a virgin. This name “Immanuel” means strength, Almighty, the Almighty God.
Now, in the New Testament, we see in Matthews’s gospel the name “Emmanuel”, which simply means “God with us” or “Almighty God with us”. Jesus is the Almighty God that came in a human body to give His life for mankind. He is the Son of God that is given to live inside of the Child's body named Jesus. Please do not misunderstand what I just stated, I am not talking about two different persons. I am speaking of the same person, Jesus.
What Isaiah said in 9:6, “unto us a child is born…” is the normal process for man to enter into this earth realm. Every person that is born into the world, is born with a physical body, but the real person lives inside of that body; that part of man is called the spirit of man. Isaiah 9:6 further states that “unto us a SON is GIVEN…” this is in reference to the spirit that was placed inside of the body that was conceived in Mary. The Son of God came into this world through the physical body, which was named Jesus.
Matthew 1:18-25
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
We now have THEE Redeemer, Jesus, the Lord our Savior.
Over 4000 years of anticipation for the One who would redeem mankind from the sin Adam committed in the Garden of Eden.
This truly is the Christmas or Christ mass, the Anointed Bread of life that takes away the sin of the world.
Jesus came to give us life and life more abundantly and to redeem mankind from the one sin Adam committed in the Garden.
The one verse that gives us the joy of Christmas is found in John’s gospel.
John 3:16
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.
This truly is the Christmas verse for mankind. Peace and goodwill only comes when our hearts are reunited with the Gift Giver, Jesus Christ; Jesus the anointed One.
Christmas is about giving the gift of love. In many cases, it requires a change of heart for this to be done. As we look at the example God our Heavenly Father has displayed, in giving THEE GREATEST GIFT anyone could give, the gift of life, through the death of His ONLY SON, WOW!
We are blessed beyond measure to know that our Heavenly Father loved us so much that He gave! He gave His ONLY SON, as a gift to mankind. This is the greatest Christmas present we could ever receive.
There is nothing wrong with the presents that we give to those we love, and for anyone to say otherwise, well, I think of Mr. Scrooge. Always give honor to those you love by some expression, even if it is a card or a note. I think that if Jesus were physically here, we would honor Him with all we have, just to say Thank You.
Let us remember the reason for this season by acknowledging the Lord in our lives individually, and with our family and friends, as we celebrate the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
WE WOULD LIKE TO WISH YOU ALL A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAVE A BLESSED AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR.
PASTOR GILBERT BURNS AND FAMILY