Christmas

The Christmas message is always to honor the birth of our savior Jesus Christ. It’s to recognize the sacrifice that He is for us, and it’s to praise and worship him. I’m sure that many people will talk to you about Jesus today, but I’d like to talk to you about the manger that Jesus was laid in and why it was important.  

Of course mangers are simple, they are animal feeding troughs.  But in ancient Israel they were made of stone - not what you would see in a modern day nativity scene. 

The manger was Not comfortable, it was cold and made of hard rough stone, but it was great for protection. That’s why those who were experts in this matter, the priests, would put their newborn lambs in them for protection. 

This is true today. Sometimes the Lord will put us in uncomfortable places or situations in our lives in order to protect us in the end. It’s not comfortable to go through this life all the time, but God has a purpose for everything that happens in our lives. The good and the bad. And it all works together for or the greater call He has for each of us.

In the Old Testament a blood sacrifice was used to make up for sins. Every year more animals were sacrificed. It was a cycle that would never end. Until Jesus came!

But back in those days, not just any lamb was good enough to kill, only the unblemished perfect lambs were used in the sacrifice for sins. And Bethlehem, where Jesus was born was famously known for their spotless and perfect lambs that were used for the sacrifices. 

These lambs had to be perfect so they would wrap them tightly in cloth and lie them in the manger to keep them safe. This is why the only time mangers are mentioned in Jesus’ birth story is when they story is being told to the shepherds. In Luke 2:11-12 it says “for unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you, you will find a baby wrapped in cloth and lying in a manger.” The shepherds would have understood this powerful parallel and symbolism of the manger.  

The shepherds knew what the cloth and the manger meant! That this baby Jesus would be the perfect lamb of God! The Messiah who would sacrifice His life for the sins of the whole world. He wasn’t just a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger, He was GOD: perfect, sinless and Holy, humbling Himself to become the perfect sacrifice to reconcile us back to Himself!!

Christmas is not about the presents and what we get, but it’s about reconciling others to Christ by giving the love of Jesus away. It’s how we show people we care. It’s His sacrifice for us. Freely we receive Him, freely we give Him away. 

The reason for Christmas is love. It’s Gods love for us. Christmas is a wonderful time but the truth is that this year it’s also a scary time for many people. It’s a time when people are worried about their safety and if the sacrifice of Jesus is going to be enough to help them get through to the next week, month, or year. Now more than ever, we need to cling to our faith in Jesus and His redemptive blood. Jesus is coming soon. 1 Peter 4:7-11 says 7The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

This Christmas we are to glorify God through our worship of Jesus Christ. As we go through the trials of life, tragedy, and loss during the holiday season, no different than any other season; we can rest in Jesus. We can love and serve each other as we come together as the body of Christ giving God the glory by living our lives for Him. 

We can have peace on earth in our hearts and minds through the gift of Jesus Christ. We can focus on the Lord and not on the things of this world. We can celebrate His birth and His resurrection power over the grave that gives us the ability to have the eternal life victory over death and defeat. 

Isaiah 9:6 - For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

That’s our Lord. The sacrificial lamb of God. He is our prince of Peace.

He intercedes for us. He has redeemed us. Our faith in Him has given us the gift of eternal life and salvation to all those who believe. We can rest and have faith that our Lord has paid for our sins, as that sacrificial lamb in that stone manger on that winter night in Bethlehem. 

Thank you Lord for your sacrifice. We praise you Jesus! Merry Christmas and blessings to you all in Jesus name.