It’s Beginning to Look Like Christmas!

We are getting ready to celebrate Christmas. It’s one of the best times of the year for children, families and of course stores. But we all know, at least we should know that Christmas is all about the coming of our Savior, Jesus! The word "Christmas" comes from the Old English phrase "Cristes Maesse", which means "Christ's Mass". The word "Christ" comes from the Greek word Khrīstos, which is a translation of the Hebrew word Māšîaḥ, meaning "anointed". The word "messe" is related to the Latin word missa, (Latin is the language originated in the Latium region of central Italy and was the language of ancient Rome and the Roman empire) so the word missa is connected to the Eucharist, a celebration where Christians eat bread and drink wine to remember Jesus. Hence the word Christmas! As we start this series, lets begin at the beginning.

Genesis 3:8–15 AMP

8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, Where are you? 10 He said, I heard the sound of You [walking] in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself. 11 And He said, Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat? 12 And the man said, The woman whom You gave to be with me—she gave me [fruit] from the tree, and I ate. 13 And the Lord God said to the woman, What is this you have done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled (cheated, outwitted, and deceived) me, and I ate. 14 And the Lord God said to the serpent, Because you have done this, you are cursed above all [domestic] animals and above every [wild] living thing of the field; upon your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust [and what it contains] all the days of your life. 15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her Offspring; He will bruise and tread your head underfoot, and you will lie in wait and bruise His heel.

Jesus is the Offspring of the Woman!

Here is God’s promise of redemption for Adam and Eve’s sin. This is how God works. He takes a relationship that was destroyed, the relationship between God and man, and promises the Savior coming through the woman who just commited the original sin with her husband. God is still doing this today. Redeeming lives that disobeyed and rebelled against Him through Jesus.

Galatians 4:4–7 (NLT)

4 But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. 5 God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. 6 And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” 7 Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.

The Right Time Came When Jesus was Born!

He was born just at the right time, in the right place and through a woman like God spoke in Genesis. This Offspring of the woman has destroyed the power of sin which is the only power the devil had over us. If you think about it, the only time life is really rough without hope is when we do life on our own without trusting in God. It’s when we forget to recognize our constant need for Jesus!

Isaiah 7:14 MEV

14 Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign: The virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

This has Happened, God is With Us!

We no longer have to look for a Virgin birth, it has happened already!

Isaiah 9:2–7 NKJV

2 The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined. 3 You have multiplied the nation And increased its joy; They rejoice before You According to the joy of harvest, As men rejoice when they divide the spoil. 4 For You have broken the yoke of his burden And the staff of his shoulder, The rod of his oppressor, As in the day of Midian. 5 For every warrior’s sandal from the noisy battle, And garments rolled in blood, Will be used for burning and fuel of fire. 6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

We Are No Longer in Darkness!

This is probably one of the best benefits of “Christmas”. We are no longer in the dark because of Jesus. Looking like Christmas doesn’t really have to do with Christmas lights, although we love decorations, but we have the Light to walk in everyday. Yes it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!