Christmas 2020 was here and now only a memory. A distant past for many people. 2020 was a different year, a confusing year and one we hope will not be repeated. But what about Christmas. The gifts are opened, wrapping paper gone to the trash, delicious food and leftovers devoured. Some gifts exchanged, some broken, some already forgotten and the work week has again begun.
The nativity put away, packaged for Christmas 2021. But what about the true meaning of Christmas. The miracle of Christ, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, coming to this earth clothed in human flesh, one hundred percent God and one hundred percent flesh. God in flesh, born of a virgin. He wasn’t born in a palace with servants and the best of silk clothes and most expensive food. There were no blaring headlines or heralds proclaiming the birth of the Son of God “Jesus Christ.”
He was born in a stable, with animals as His room mates, because there were no rooms available anywhere. God sent heavenly angels to give the announcement to lowly shepherds in the hills. They were the first to hear of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords birth, the first to worship the new born king. They were only shepherds, there testimony in a trial would not be considered because of who they were. But God the Father sent them notice first of the coming Messiah.
When Christ was about two years of age the wise men from the East following a star found the young child. They and their entourage of hundreds brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh and fell down and worshipped Him.
King Herod hearing of the new born king should have bent his knee and worshipped but instead sent and slew from two years and younger all the male children at Bethlehem and surrounding areas.
Have we like Herod tried to murder this baby born in Bethlehem. Oh not with swords but in our hearts, reducing Him to nothing more than a pottery king, one to be put out of sight or worshipped. Christ came not to condemn but to save men from their sins. He offers salvation, a free gift, only believe is His requirement. And once we believe to worship Him. He will take away our sins, putting away them as far as the East is from West, and give us a new heart, a heart to love Him. He came meek and mild the first time with His offer to all mankind. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved. Saved from the wrath to come and to spend eternity with Him.
When He comes again it will be for judgment to all those who refused to bow the knee and worship Him. King Herod will stand before Him and answer for the slaughter of those innocent babies and his rebellious heart. Not only him but all who rebel and refuse the free offer of salvation. Salvation offered the first time, but at His next coming only judgment and wrath. For as the creator and sustainer of the entire universe, the world and of us He is worthy to be worshipped.
The most heinous crime that can be committed is to disregard Jesus Christ, to not give Him his rightful place in our hearts for He is the great “I Am”, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.
Won’t you now bow your knees and worship Him!!