12/25/2023
This morning we celebrate the moment in time when God became man. On this day, those many years ago, Jesus Christ was born to a virgin in Bethlehem. I would say that this was the beginning of God’s plan to redeem mankind, but that plan was actually conceived long before the foundation of the world, even before Adam and Eve had gained the knowledge of good, evil, and knew of sin. His plan continues unfolding to this very day as we anticipate the second coming of Jesus.
“Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.”
Ephesians 1:4-10 ESV
So this morning as we celebrate His birth I want to share with you something that I like to send every Christmas; something I wrote years ago... the story of Jesus. I hope you find it to be just as good today:
This Christmas Day
By Rich Forbes
Final breath, “It is done.” He said
Mourners shouted; “Our Lord is Dead!”
Yet from the grave in light adorned
He rises in unearthly form.
Where are the sandals; dust and blood;
The crown of thorns, the hammer’s thud?
Replaced by bells and ancient chants
The Christ ascends to Satan’s rants.
Sing the heavens; sing the rocks,
Sing the Shepherds tending flocks,
Death has fallen with useless shroud
The son of God ascends through clouds.
A host of angels praise his name
A mother’s tears are shed again
In joy she calls his name on high
His tomb stands empty; oceans sigh.
Now the faithful fall as one
On knees of praise to holy son
With eyes of wonder they behold
The prophesy long since foretold.
This Christmas day has come at last
Death’s victory now ancient past
With sweat and blood and soldier’s spear;
No more the price of Adam feared.
So on this day we all rejoice
Raise up our arms and in one voice
Proclaim that Jesus Christ is born
To cymbals, drum, and golden horn.
Lord of Lords, and King of Kings,
Through mother’s labor mercy brings
His sacrifice to cleanse our sins;
God’s grace for us through him begins.
Christmas bells, and Christmas trees,
Displayed so every doubter sees
The faithful lift him up this day;
God’s perfect son from manger’s hay.
Yet in our celebration know
No Yule log can his shadow throw.
He shines more brilliant than the sun;
His mercy, bright, has just begun.
This blessed infant, holy child,
In us bestowed his mercy mild
So as we wait for his return
We sing our hymns while candles burn.
Like travelers we find his star,
Some from near yet others far,
Praising now around each table;
Holy child in Christmas stable.
So, today let’s join the shepherds in the field, and prepare to join in with the heavenly host as they celebrate the coming of the Christ, and in praising God…
“And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 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 swaddling cloths and 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 among those with whom he is pleased!””
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.
Luke 2:10-16 ESV
Merry Christmas one and all,
Rich Forbes