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Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Why we celebrate Christmas

I read a disturbing fact recently, a survey of 2,000 millennials revealed that nearly half of them had no idea who the baby in the manger was. They may have heard about Jesus, but they didn't realize that it was His birth that is celebrated at Christmas. I'm writing this blog to clear up any confusion about who was in the manger and why it's so important to celebrate His birth.

Christians around the world will be celebrating the birth of Jesus on Christmas Eve. Although the exact date of His birth is unknown, we have set aside December 25th as the day we recognize and celebrate His coming to earth. The prophets in the Old Testament foretold His coming 700 years before His birth.

Isaiah prophesied from 739 to 681 BC and told of the virgin birth and the coming king.
"Then Isaiah said, 'Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel (which means God with us)'." (Isaiah 7:13-14) He also declared, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)

Micah prophesied from 733 to 701 BC and proclaimed that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.
"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." (Micah 5:2)

As we read the account of His birth in the gospels, we are amazed at the accuracy of the prophets to predict His birth, but it's not just the prophesies that amaze us. The God who created the universe, loved us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to earth to rescue us from our sins. He came as a helpless baby so that He could totally relate to us. He wasn't born in a palace, even though He is a king. His birth wasn't announced to the religious leaders of the day, but angels told lowly shepherds about His birth. (You can read the gospel accounts of His birth in Matthew 1:18-2:23 and Luke 1:26-2:20)

All things are possible for God including a virgin birth. God's Holy Spirit impregnated Mary with God's own seed. Although it is mysterious to us, Jesus left His glorious home in heaven with the mission to save people from their sins. He became Immanuel, God with us, living on the earth that He created for us to fully know us.

When we give each other gifts, it is in remembrance of the wise men who followed a star, searched for and found the baby Jesus. They worshiped Him because they knew He was destined to be a king and they lavished their gifts on Him.

As you celebrate the birth of Christ this year, remember the words of the angels to the shepherds, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 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 a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." (Luke 2:10-12)

Friday, December 7, 2018

How can I be saved?

     Do you have questions about Jesus and wonder what you have to do to become His follower? You've come to right place because I'm going to explain it clearly.
     When God who created the universe and all that is in it created humans, He did so because He wanted someone to appreciate His glory and people with whom He could have a relationship. But humankind was deceived by Satan and sin entered the world separating us from the one who created us. The only way that God could reconcile the people of the world back to himself was to become one of us. He did just that when He opted to be born of a virgin and live among us in the person of Jesus Christ. The only way that He could redeem us was through the blood of a perfect sacrifice and He became that sacrifice when He died on the cross. His sinless blood took care of the sin problem and His resurrection from the dead secured a place in Heaven for all those who believe in Him.
     There are some passages in the New Testament book of Romans which confirm our need of Jesus and His perfect sacrifice.
     "This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:22-23)
     "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
     "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)
     "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved... for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:9-10, 13)
     It almost sounds to good to be true, but that's how much God loves each one of us. He truly wants us to spend eternity with Him and He has made a way for us to become His forever children.
     "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him." (John 3:16-17)
     "Jesus answered, 'I Am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me'." (John 14:6)
     If you believe in Jesus and want to have His Spirit living in you, just repeat this prayer and you will be saved and become part of God's beloved family:
     Holy God, I accept Your gift of salvation and choose today to invite Jesus Christ into my heart. I am a sinner and I need a savior, forgive me for my sins and cleanse my heart. I invite Your Holy Spirit to take up residence in my heart and I choose to follow Your leading all the days of my life. Thank You Jesus for dying for my sins and for showing me the way to eternal life. Amen