Merry Christmas
For most of us this is a very exciting time of the year. Fun to watch the children making their list of things they would like to have.
We go out and look at all the beautiful lights that many have put up around their homes. Now we have the blow up decorations but I wonder what most of them have to do with this time of the year.
We sing songs to celebrate the birth of Christ to Rocking Around the Christmas Tree.
I wonder how many families will actually bring their children together and sit down and read the real story of the birth of Christ. My guess is not many.
Oh, but one of the greatest things is people all over the world are singing about Jesus and His birth. They are celebrating in the exchanging of gifts and families, friends and even strangers are lifting up the Name of Jesus.
This time of the year has become a tradition. Oh yes we should be so thankful that Jesus was born of a virgin and came so that we could make a choice to make Lord and Savior of our life. Then we will live with Him for all eternity.
I some times think of the birth of Jesus like this; He was not born on December 25th. That day was chosen many years ago to make the Christians happy. But is a family member was not at home and had been gone along time why not celebrate the days they missed while perhaps serving our country.
Jesus was actually born during the time of Rosh Hashanah, which is normally end of September or first part of October.
Yes, there was no room at the inn because of the season of this being God’s Holy Days. So there were 1,000’s of people there. The Jews went to Jerusalem to celebrate this 10 days of AWE.
During this season Jesus was born…see God even likes to have a party and He had a big celebration during the time that Jesus was born.
So today we celebrate on December 25th, have parties to celebrate together, hopefully the birth of Christ.
The story of Jesus is not like the nativity scenes we see today. Those are what someone pictured it may have looked like at that time.
Jesus was about 2 years old when the 3 wise men finally arrived. Remember, they were on camels and following a star. They brought to Jesus gifts that had great value. So from His childhood he was not lacking especially in the area of finances.
This year be sure to read to your children about the birth of Jesus. Explain why we celebrate Christmas, have parties, give gifts, and have lots of fun.
Here is part of the Christmas story found in Luke.
Luke 2 Amplified Bible (AMP)
Jesus’ Birth in Bethlehem
2 Now in those days a decree went out from [the emperor] [a]Caesar Augustus, that all the inhabited world (the Roman Empire) should be [b]registered [in a census]. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.3 And everyone went to register for the census, each to his own city. 4 So Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 in order to register with Mary, who was [c]betrothed to him, and was with child. 6 While they were there [in Bethlehem], the time came for her to give birth, 7 and she gave birth to her Son, her firstborn; and she wrapped Him in [[d]swaddling] cloths and laid Him in a [e]manger, because there was no [private] room for them in the inn.
8 In the same region there were shepherds staying out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord flashed and shone around them, and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for [f]all the people. 11 For this day in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (the Messiah).12 And this will be a sign for you [by which you will recognize Him]: you will find a Baby wrapped in [swaddling] cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Then suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host (angelic army) praising God and saying,
14
“Glory to God in the highest [heaven],
And on earth peace among men with whom He is well-pleased.”15 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds begansaying one to another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem, and see this [wonderful] thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the Baby as He lay in the manger. 17 And when they had seen this, they made known what had been told them about this Child, 18 and all who heard it were astounded and wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these things, giving careful thought to them and pondering them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.
Merry Christmas,
Patsy Riggs
