Today is Christmas!

As we learned from Luke 2:16-20 this past Sunday, there are four ways we should be celebrating Christmas:

• PRAISE HIM

With your words & by singing. Use words to acknowledge His true worth, power, and goodness

• PONDER

This is simply remembering the gospel, that God saved you, that you hav been forgiven, and Intentionally turning your affections toward Him

• WONDER

That HE became a MAN and that He was born to die so that YOU can have LIFE!

• TELL OTHERS

What you remember of your wonder and of who He is and what He has done.

At some point on Christmas Day, pause for a couple of minutes to Ponder, Wonder, and Praise. When the opportunity comes, TELL! As you pause, read the devotion below (which concludes with the full Christmas story, assembled in sequence from the Gospels) as you strive to Ponder & Wonder

CHRISTMAS MEDITATION

We must remember, as Charles Spurgeon points out, “Christmas is not a ‘biblical holiday’' and rightly criticizes any attempt to equate celebrating it as a central component of Christianity. However, “it is lawful, and even laudable, to meditate upon the incarnation of the Lord upon any day in the year, [so let us] give God thanks for the gift of His dear Son. I wish there were ten or a dozen Christmas-days in the year; for there is work enough in the world, and a little more rest would not hurt laboring people. Christmas-day is really a boon to us, particularly as it enables us to assemble round the family hearth and meet our friends once more.”

I think Spurgeon’s advice here is right, good, and helpful. Be intentional to enjoy the break from your usual routine. Enjoy spending time with family and/or friends. And whether it’s your first “Merry Christmas” when you get up, a text message to or from a friend, or whenever you hear it - remember to be joyful and thankful for Christ and what He has done for you. Remember - He came to save YOU!

TODAY IS CHRISTMAS! MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU! Merry means, “characterized by festivity and rejoicing.” And if you’ve trusted in Christ and His finished work on the cross, then you can truly be festive and rejoice. Today we think of Christ’s birth. We don’t rejoice because of presents, a day off, family festivities, or even a big satisfying meal.

We have every right to feast and celebrate. So open the presents, enjoy the celebration. Christians should be the most joyful people of all. Remember that He brought His people out with joy, His chosen ones with a shout of joy. (Psalm 105:43) Today is not a day to be contemplative, austere, and reserved. It is a day to enjoy. Whatever your plans are for the day - just sit back and relish in all the events of the day. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. (John 15:11)

I close with a quote from Spurgeon: Go to the house of feasting to-morrow, celebrate your Saviour’s birth; do not be ashamed to be glad; you have a right to be happy.

Brothers & Sisters! Enjoy your day!

Grace, Peace & JOY!

Pastor Rob

The Christmas Story

According to Scripture

Jesus’ Miraculous Birth Explained to Joseph

(Matthew 1:18–25)

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, can angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.

The Messiah Is Born in Bethlehem

(Luke 2:1–7; John 1:14)

(Luke) And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from aCaesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (John) And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

The Shepherds Pay Homage to the Lord Jesus

(Luke 2:8–20 )

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 ca Savior, who is dChrist the eLord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, 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, goodwill toward men!” So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.