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 PUT CHRIST BACK INTO X-MAS
When I read the word X-mas it is as if the X is just a placeholder where
any other word can be put into … what is it for you? - parties, food,
liquor, gifts, family, holiday … Or is it about celebrating the birth of
Jesus, the Son of God, who came to the earth to be our Saviour, the One
who came to pay for our sins on the cross? … "This very day your
Saviour was born - Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10)
"For a child has been born- for us! the gift of a son- for us! He'll
take over the running of the world. His names will be: Amazing Counsellor,
Strong God, Eternal Father, Prince of Wholeness" (Isaiah 9:6 MSG)
Let us put Christ back and celebrate
CHRIST-mas this year, and every year as long as we live. Remember:
JESUS IS THE REASON FOR
THE CHRISTMAS SEASON
DON'T MISS JESUS THIS CHRISTMAS
It is more than 2000 years since the birth of Christ. Is it possible that
people can still miss the Christ of CHRIST-mas?
When we look at the first Christmas (the
time that Jesus was born) we see that the following people missed Jesus:
The Inn-keeper
He was so busy making money and running his inn, that he didn't realise
that he was giving the King of kings an inferior place to stay: the stable
with a manger as crib. (Luke 2:7)
King Herod
He was obsessed with power and control, and didn't realise that Jesus was
the Saviour of the world. He ordered that all the boys under the age of 2
years had to be killed; by doing this he hoped to get rid of Jesus.
The Religious Leaders
They knew the scriptures and the 900 prophecies about the coming of the
Messiah. They expected a king to be born, but they were so caught up in
their own religion, their self-righteousness, they didn't recognize Jesus
as the Messiah.
The Jews
They were expecting their king to be a hero, someone important, not a weak
baby in a manger. Jesus didn't fit their expectations, and that is why
they missed Him.
The Romans
They were too caught up in their own greed, materialism and prosperity to
recognize Jesus as King and Messiah.
The People of His Home-town Nazareth
They were too familiar with Jesus, too free-and-easy with Him to
acknowledge Him as the One who came to save them and the whole world from
their sins.
At the first Christmas, the following
people didn't miss Him; let us look at their reactions:
Mary
When the angel announced the birth of Jesus to her, she confessed: "I
am the Lord's servant. Let everything you've said happen to me."
(Luke 1:38 GW). She made herself available to be used by God, and she kept
on believing and trusting. She gave birth to the Son of God… she didn't
miss Him.
Joseph
When he heard that Mary was going to have a baby by the Holy Spirit, an
angel appeared to him in a dream. He was obedient; he did the
"right" thing and married her. (Read about this in Matt 1:18-25)
He witnessed the Saviour's birth and was there when He grew up … he
didn't miss Jesus.
The Wise Men
When they saw the star that was the sign of the birth of Christ, they were
happy and filled with joy (Matt 2:9,10). They followed the star and when
they found the Baby, "they entered the house and saw the child in the
arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped Him. Then
they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense,
myrrh". (Matt 2:11 MSG)… they didn't miss the King of kings.
The Shepherds
When the angel told them about the birth of the Saviour, Christ the Lord,
they hurried off to find Mary and Joseph and the baby. They were
"praising God and saying wonderful things about Him". (Luke 2:20
CEV) They saw Him, they honoured Him, they witnessed about Him… they
didn't miss Him!
THIS CHRISTMAS : What about YOU?
Now this Christmas, Jesus is knocking on the door of your heart - don't be
too busy, too obsessed with power, control, greed and prosperity, too
religious, too blasé about Jesus, to react and to answer to His calling. Open
your heart and invite Him in. Put your trust in Jesus, believe in Him, be
obedient, kneel down and worship Him, praise Him and tell others about Him
and what He has done. Do it this Christmas… and don't miss Jesus!
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