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 NIV)
Christmas without Jesus Christ is just another holiday. Jesus is the reason for the season. Peace on earth and goodwill to men.
Merry Christmas!
Give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.
Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus might have been extremely shocked when he noticed that his betrothed wife is pregnant. “Wait a minute, I have kept the law and have not been unfaithful to Yahweh. I have kept myself from any sexual encounter with Mary and she did to me?”, he might have told himself. Joseph indeed had every right to divorce Mary and he decided to do it quietly. What will you do if you find out that the one you love has been unfaithful to you even when you have been faithful?
She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”(Matthew 1:21)
However, heaven stepped into the story. Mary had not been unfaithful to the Lord or to Joseph but Joseph did not know this. “But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20). This is hard news. Your betrothed wife has conceived a child from the Holy Spirit and you are to name that child! Guess what? “When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife” (Matthew 1:24).
Obedience to God is key in the fulfillment of every prophecy concerning our lives. Mary believed and obeyed. Joseph believed and obeyed. The two accepted a divine task of raising the Son of Yahweh. What an assignment? The journey to the cross began with the obedience of Mary and Joseph. They did not mind the societal perception of having a child before consummating the marriage. They knew that this was no ordinary child. Christmas is a few hours away and maybe you are still wondering how to influence lives this Christmas. We have been sent to tell the world about the Saviour…just do that! Tell your neighbour about the Lord!
Sing along with me…
Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
The shepherds feared and trembled
When, lo! Above the Earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Savior’s birth
Merry Christmas and a Blessed New year!
My soul glorifies the Lord!
There are days we experience the unimaginable presence of the Lord. Such experiences live with us always and remind us of God’s goodness and mercy. Mary and Elizabeth had promised children in their wombs. While Elizabeth’s son was going to prepare the way for the Saviour of the world, Mary’s son was the Saviour. These two babies had a divine encounter and this encounter led to Mary’s hymn (popularly known as the Magnificat). Out of the overflow of her heart, Mary composed a song to glorify the Lord.
And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour (Luke 1:46-47 KJV).
Mary experienced the magnitude of carrying the Saviour of the world. She praised the Lord and rejoiced in God who has given her such a privilege. She identified her humble state and rejoiced in the fact that all generations will call her blessed, “for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.”(Luke 1:48-49). It has been over 2000 years since Jesus was born. We cannot talk about the birth of Jesus without acknowledging the role of Mary.
It is now our ministry to sing hymns of praise to the ever living, always powerful Saviour. We have the Gospel handed down unto us and we are the bearers of the good news. It is a great privilege to be given the task that Mary, Elizabeth and all the church triumphant had. We have been called to proclaim to the world the saving power of Jesus. We have been chosen to go to the mountains, the hills, the valleys, the plains, the countryside and proclaim that Jesus saves. If you cannot go in person, be gracious enough to support missionaries to send this good news to everyone. Indeed, the Saviour has already paid the price for salvation.
Sing along with me…
Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
While shepherds kept their watching
O’er silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a Holy light
Merry Christmas and a Blessed New year!
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