Do You Believe In Christmas?

The story of Christmas is pretty simple.

Baby born to teenagers in a small town out of the way of life. People come bringing gifts and some people “had a religious experience” around this child.

Yet, the Christmas is so much more.

As simple as it is there is much more there for us to believe and consider.

Christmas is God’s continuation of interaction with mankind.

God has not left us alone. Christmas was not an afterthought but was the plan God set in motion hundred of years prior. He spoke words predicting what would come to be known as Christmas.

Christmas is God’s gift of love to you and me.

I hope you hear this and truly believe it: God loves you! God loves you so very much! In your pain, your grief, you mess, you doubt, your despair. God loves you.

Jesus is the savior.

Once again in the narrative with Joseph we read he woudl be the savior of the people. A savior not like the nation was hoping, but eth one they needed.

Jesus is the hope of the world.

First century Jews were looking for the long awaited savior, the hope for the nation. Here in the babe of the manger we find that person. Similar to his name the angels remind us those the messiah was not going to be just for a small nation in the middle east. It would be for all of us.

John 1:29 NIV

“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

Jesus is Immanuel—God with us!

Matthew 1 when the angel/messenger of God, historically considered to be Gabriel, visited Joseph he gave this name. This was revolutionary in many ways. God was not just going to be with “him” the son but with “us”. The child was not going to just be empowered by the Most High God like a prophet but implied in these words is he would be God.

John 1:14 MSG

The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.

Believing in Christmas means trusting God.

Because of Christmas and who Jesus is—not just some baby but THE BABY—we have purpose an d future. W emust be like the characters of Christmas who willingly obeyed. I love the words of Mary in Luke 1.

Luke 1:38 NIV

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Christmas transforms life.

It has that potential. The difference is to some extent our belief in the names of Jesus. Do you believe he is the Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty, God, Everlasting Father, the Lamb, The Chosen One, The Christ? Or is he just another person similar to us, but yet greater. Do you believe he isGod and Creator?