Holidays

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“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!” (Luke 2:8-14 NKJV)

You know what? Christmas is the heart of joy! Without Christmas, joy is impossible! This Christmas, amidst all the celebrations of the season, let us take some moment to examine ourselves whether or not we really enjoy Jesus Christ’s birth which is the greatest gift of God to an unhappy sinful world!

When Jesus Christ was born, it brought messages of hope, love, purpose, humility, and joy! Centuries before, the prophets in the OT prophesied about this greatest historical event. And at God’s appointed time His Son came into this world through Virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit! The Word becoming flesh was indeed the miracle of miracles!

Christ’s birth though bought joy to many, if we read Matthew 2:3, we come to know that Herod the king and all Jerusalem were troubled hearing of the birth of Jesus, the King of the Jews. Indeed we cannot ignore the event in which all the male children in Bethlehem and in all its districts from two years old and under were put to death by the angry king Herod. It is hard to believe that the birth of a loving God was followed by the death of innocent babes!

Now imagine the condition of Joseph and Mary, while Jesus was born in a manger as there was no room for them in the inn. I personally believe this was the happiest birth in world history! Mary’s joy can be understood from the words she speaks in Luke 1:46-55. For them, the privilege to become the earthly parents of God’s Son couldn’t stop them from praising God!

Millions around the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with no joy inside their hearts! This is because they have not received Jesus Christ into their hearts! The joy of Christmas does not enter into our hearts automatically, but it is only when Jesus Christ is born inside us! Will God be pleased if we celebrate the Birth of His Dear Son, without His presence in our lives?

The angel of the Lord told the frightened shepherds the words that gave them great courage: “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (vv. 10, 11). The first ever message of the Christmas joy was proclaimed by a mighty angel not to kings or rulers, but to ordinary shepherds! This is the way God works!

From the time you started celebrating Christmas, how many times have you done it with peace and joy in your heart? Does this joy remain in you daily 24x7?

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