For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder ~ Isaiah 9:6.
Introduction
The age-long Christmas story is unlike any other story told throughout the annals of time. It’s central kernel, which is the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, is the opening stanza of the New Testament salvation song. It is quite unforgettable, and it has held several generations of men and women in their sway. Charles H. Spurgeon said: "The greatest and the most momentous fact which the history of the world records is the fact of Christ's birth".
Christmas story is not just a collection of captivating words of men which we commonly find in so many books written on earth over time. Rather, it is the accurate declaration of God’s word revealing His unfeigned love, purpose and plan for restoring mankind to Himself through His Son, Jesus! Unequivocally, we need to constantly rehearse this story in the ears of men till the end of time.
Over 2000 years ago, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to some shepherds who were living out in the fields around Bethlehem, and keeping watch over their flock by night. It was an unusual and awesome night! The glory of the Lord shone around them and a multitude of the heavenly host joined them, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men”(Luke 2:13-14).
The Christmas story is good-news for all people because the Saviour was born to rid our lives of sins and guilt, and to instill in us the great joy of heaven again! What a holy and memorable night it was! What an unusual gift from God to humanity: Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world was born!! Alleluia!!!
A Child Is Born, A Son Is Given
Naturally, a new born child is acknowledged as a gift to its immediate family. But as the child matures in the process of time, and finds favour with God and man, he becomes a sterling gift to the world around him (John 1:6). Yes, the childhood stage can be so wonderful, but the sonship stage is much more glorious.
Meanwhile, one of the most grievous mistakes that men make is that they often don’t recognize and appreciate the gifts of men that God sends across their ways. They habitually maltreat them, killing some, despising some, and speaking evil against others, not knowing that by so doing, they are undoing the glories of their own destinies.
Jesus Christ is the Principal Gift of God to the world. He is the precious Saviour that the God Almighty gave to us — a nonsuch Gift indeed (John 3:16)! He was born to really bless us (Acts 3:19-26).
As a result of the brutal disappointments they had experienced from their spiritual and political leaders over the years, the generation into which the first Christmas dawned felt its need for a Saviour. Happily, the Christmas angel declared that, at last, the Promised Saviour was born to deliver, rescue, protect and save them, even from their most personal problem of sin (Matthew 1:21).
Sin is one of the biggest reasons our world is so sad today. Only eternity can tell how much of the illness and misery of our world is rooted in a sense of guilt arising from our personal sins and the commanding sins of our forebears, which provoke abiding sickness of the soul.
The shepherds probably kept all the sheep that were offered for sacrifice at the temple at that time, but all of the sheep they raised could not take away their sins. However, that night, God gave the world One Lamb, the Saviour of the world, who could take away our sins. This is the Saviour, Jesus Christ the Son of God, born on Christmas Day!
The Angel and the Lowly Shepherds
Yes, Jesus’ birth was as momentous as it was memorable, to say the least. An angel heralded the event, but he did so to the most unexpected set of people — the lowly Shepherds — in the field near Bethlehem.
Jesus Christ is the Great Shepherd of our souls (John 10:14). He came, not as a military conqueror, but as a little babe in a manger (Matthew 11:29). He was fully man, yet fully God and He came in His first advent on earth as a humble servant (Isaiah 53:3).
Meanwhile, let me venture to make a humble attempt at clarifying why Jesus chose that route. I believe He did so in order to graciously identify with us in our lowly helpless estates, and to mercifully relate with us in all our troubles (Hebrews 4:15). He came to atone for our sins, which only the sinless Saviour could do (1 Corinthians 15:45-49).
Once this timeless truth becomes very well known to you, and you tightly embrace it, you can enjoy total liberty from sins and be enabled to manage any rejection you might face in the world. The gracious Saviour — Jesus Christ — has been given to us, freely! Alleluia!
Friends, how do you fare with Him today? Are you cognizant of the fact that when Jesus Christ comes again, He will do so in glory and power as a Righteous Judge of all (John 5:25-29; Revelation 19:11)? Are you allowing Him to prepare you to be a blessing to your world, or you are still stagnating at the babyhood stage of life?
Most importantly, are you born-again? Have you embraced the good tidings of great joy that He ushered into the world, or you are still procrastinating on this quintessential decision ever made? Have you repented of your sins? Have you believed the gospel and engaged the necessary changes in your life?
The good tidings must be received with faith if there will be an eternal benefit of great joy. To the credit of the group of poor lowly shepherds, it is quite incredible, but they believed.
They were told to look for the Promised Messiah in an unexpected place — in a manger in the little village of Bethlehem — yet, they went. They found Him, who was then a little baby, just born and wrapped in swaddling clothes. They worshipped Him, and their hearts were set to singing with full joy.
In conclusion, Jesus Christ came indeed at first Christmas, finished the work of salvation and He still saves from sins, heals from diseases and delivers from bondages and fear. The gospel is still good-tidings for all people, including you! This is the robust and the never-to-be-forgotten story of Christmas. May you never miss it again, in Jesus name. Happy Christmas Sunday!
** Bishop Taiwo Akinola,
Rhema Christian Church,
Otta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
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