Merry Christmas my friends...my hopes are that this day will be full of joy, laughter, family and fun. Is there any day like Christmas Day?
Do not get wrapped up like your presents under the tree in all of the "things" that make up this day. Yes there is food - more than any of us should eat. Yes there is noise and a smile at the chaos - which usually accompanies the gifts (at least in my experience). Yes there is conversations...usually many going on at once. But, all of these "things" are because of one thing - Immanuel, God is with us. God has come to live among us.
The apostle John also says it succinctly:
John 1:14
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Luke's Gospel tells us that the Angels in song praising God said it:
Luke 2:9-14
9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.
10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
This my friends is Christmas. Jesus, a child born, a son give (human and divine) has come to live among us.
He undressed his robes of glory he had on from eternity past, and replaced them with the flesh of a human body. He who lived in the splendor of heaven exchanged it for the feeding trough of a manger. He who had angels in heavenly chorus singing God's praise day and night left it to hear the soft whispers of a mother and father speaking tenderly to a baby while cattle made their noises in the manger stalls.
He came for us...he left it all for us...he reminded us over and over it was to be among us. He who is with us and among us, is also for us. And in the end, he reminded us that he will come again to take us to be with him...to live among us in eternity.
John 14:1-3
1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.
2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
Do not get wrapped up like your presents under the tree in all of the "things" that make up this day. Yes there is food - more than any of us should eat. Yes there is noise and a smile at the chaos - which usually accompanies the gifts (at least in my experience). Yes there is conversations...usually many going on at once. But, all of these "things" are because of one thing - Immanuel, God is with us. God has come to live among us.
The apostle John also says it succinctly:
John 1:14
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Luke's Gospel tells us that the Angels in song praising God said it:
Luke 2:9-14
9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.
10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
This my friends is Christmas. Jesus, a child born, a son give (human and divine) has come to live among us.
He undressed his robes of glory he had on from eternity past, and replaced them with the flesh of a human body. He who lived in the splendor of heaven exchanged it for the feeding trough of a manger. He who had angels in heavenly chorus singing God's praise day and night left it to hear the soft whispers of a mother and father speaking tenderly to a baby while cattle made their noises in the manger stalls.
He came for us...he left it all for us...he reminded us over and over it was to be among us. He who is with us and among us, is also for us. And in the end, he reminded us that he will come again to take us to be with him...to live among us in eternity.
John 14:1-3
1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.
2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
The Advent season is not over...it has just moved from anticipation of his second coming. All for one reason: for Jesus to be among us.
Peace, Merry Christmas
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