“Hark the herald angels sing glory to the newborn king. Peace on earth and mercy mild God and sinners reconciled.” The hymn was originally written by Charles Wesley based on Lukes account of Christs birth.
“8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:8-14 King James Version
Can you imagine the shepherds sitting in darkness possibly next to a fire keeping warm and suddenly the sky lights up and angels appear telling them of Christs birth? The solitude of the evening being broken by Good News.
The news of Jesus’ birth, the Messiah, the God/Man who was with the Father at creation. He took on human form coming as a baby, His sole purpose in human form to preach the kingdom and reconcile sinners to the Father. He completely understood what His life in the flesh was about.
He was going to die on the cross after being beaten, belittled, spat upon. His death and shedding of blood were necessary for our salvation.
The Holy Night on which he was born was not broadcast across cable TV and social media. His life and death were communicated one person at a time.
Today little thought is given to Jesus at Christmas. Santa Claus, snowmen, elves and cute stories are written about a fictitious elf at the North Pole who distributes toys and gifts throughout the world in a 24-hour period. Little is said about the most important gift, life eternal through Jesus Christ.
Stores start putting out Christmas decorations and gifts as early as June, six months before the holiday is celebrated. Stores earn much of their profits in November and December. This has been going on for years.
The last few weeks my computer has been bombarded with ads for Christmas. Some of these ads display Santa with a vulgar saying. Not even Santa is pure anymore.
Our world has changed dramatically since I was a child. As you guess I am old. Respect for humanity has been replaced with hate and ridicule. Obeying laws meant for our good are no longer enforced. Crime is rampant. Most people have no desire to acknowledge Yahweh or Jesus Christ. Life is all about them. Yet most lack inner peace. Many use alcohol and drugs as an escape mechanism. Many hold on to hurt and pain, they are bitter and unforgiving. They may have many material things but no peace.
Christ came to declare the Kingdom of God, which is higher than earthly kingdoms. He preached peace, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27 KJV
He gave us two new commandments:
“30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31King James Version
He did not eradicate the old commandments: “17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.” Matthew 5:17 King James Version
He did not come to bring power as we view power today. The power He displayed was in healing and in casting out demon spirits. He came to bring love and peace. While He brings love and peace it does not eradicate judgement. For all will be judged by Him at the time decided by the Father. Not everyone will go to heaven, not everyone wants to go to heaven. Some don’t believe in heaven but that doesn’t negate the fact that it is real and so is hell.
Christ coming to earth as a baby was foretold by the prophet Isaiah: “14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14 King James Version Immanuel means “God with us.” The prophecy of Jesus as a suffering servant is told in Isaiah 53. Every word of Isaiah 53 was fulfilled in the life and death of Jesus.
As we approach Christmas this year can you set aside some time to spend with God? Perhaps read the Gospel of John, look at the eternal and not the temporal. Christ surrendered His life in heaven with the Father to come to earth for the salvation of all that would believe. After He fulfilled the prophecies He returned to heaven to wait until the Father tells Him it is time to come again. Will you be ready? Do you want to be ready?
Picture by GettyImages