December 2010

Christmas! Yes!

There seems to be an overwhelming lack of the appreciation of what Christmas really means. Even within the Christian community I am not sure we really get the profound significance of what we are celebrating.
I am not referring to the typical debate over Santa verses the manger scene.
I am referring to far more.
As I read the account of the birth of Christ again in the 2nd chapter of Luke, I was reminded of the impact this historical and divine event had on our world, and still does today.
What happened on that first Christmas night answers the questions we long to have answered today.
And while I cannot address every question answered in the Christmas account, I do want to draw from Luke 2:1-20 to look at the question of 
"Can we really trust God and what He says."
(I would really encourage you to read Luke 2:1-20 before you read on.)

1) God really is in control.
Only God could take an event concerning taxes and use it for His purpose.
The government forced Joseph to make the long trip to pay his taxes. On top of that, Mary was very pregnant, and there were no rooms available in the inn.
In the midst of situations where it seems that others are in control of our lives, forcing us into circumstances beyond our control, we must realize that it is not as it may appear; especially when we are following God's will for our lives.
In this situation, with all of its complications, God was really in control. God controls all of history. By the decree of Caesar Augustus, Jesus was born in the very village prophesied for His birth by the prophet of God, Micah. These events were also prophesied in Isaiah 11:1, Jeremiah 33:15, Ezekiel 37:24, and Hosea 3:5.

2) God does do as He has promised.
God sent an angel to the shepherds out on the hills outside of Bethlehem.
The message from God was specific.
When, in what town, who was born, how the baby was dressed, and where He was located.
"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find the baby wrapped in clothes and lying in a manger."

That is pretty specific. and I love the last statement in verse 20 when the shepherds returned from seeing Christ:
"The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told."

1. Joshua 21:45 "Not one of all the LORD'S good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled."

2. Joshua 23:14 "Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD your God have you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed."

3. 1 Kings 8:56 "Praise be to the LORD, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he have through his servant Moses."