Scripture: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” – Luke 2:14
Observation: In the quiet of the night, on a hillside just outside of the village of Bethlehem, a group of shepherds heard an announcement from heaven regarding the birth of the Saviour.
Application: The fulfillment of God’s plan for mankind’s redemption was set in motion by the birth of His only Son, Jesus. So incredible was this event that the angels rejoiced in the heavens! The shepherds watched in stunned silence as the angelic choir sang praises in the night sky!
It is impossible to ignore the truth that God truly loves us so much that He sent His only precious beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be the Saviour of the world! We have been given the best Christmas gift we could ever receive, but like any gift, it only becomes ours when we accept it.
The Bible explains so clearly why we should welcome the Saviour into our hearts.
1. We are all sinners and we need a Saviour!
- “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” – Romans 3:23
2. Our sin must be dealt with.
- “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Romans 6:23
3. God loved us so much, He paid the debt we owed, but couldn’t pay.
- “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8
4. God made a way for us to be forgiven and saved from our sins.
- “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” – Romans 10:9
5. God made His plan of salvation simple so anyone can be saved.
- “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” – Romans 10:13
God loves each one of us and wants a personal relationship with us. He sent His Son to be the One to reconcile us to Himself. It undeniably was, and continues to be, the very best Christmas gift you will ever be given!
Today, we celebrate that glorious birth of long ago when the angel declared, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people, For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”(Luke 2:10-11) If you have never trusted in Christ as your Saviour, why not do so today? It will be the best Christmas you’ll ever have, and then you will be able to say from your heart, “Rejoice! The Saviour has come! Emmanuel! God with us!”
Merry Christmas!
Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, I celebrate You today! My heart rejoices in the truth that You loved Your creation so much You left heaven to become the Saviour of the world! Christmas is so much more when You are in the center of it! What unspeakable joy fills my soul to know that I am Yours, and You are mine! Thank You so much! Happy birthday! In Your precious name, I pray. Amen!
Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o'er the plains,
And the mountains in reply echoing their joyous strains.
Gloria in excelsis Deo, gloria in excelsis Deo.
Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing.
Come, adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
Gloria in excelsis Deo, gloria in excelsis Deo.
(from “Angels We Have Heard on High” by James Chadwick)
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“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16