December 26, 2022 NEWS OF A GREAT JOY
Luke 2:8-11 “And is the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you; you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger.”
The impact and the importance of the birth of Jesus could never be understated; the birth and the later resurrection of Jesus from the dead are the two greatest events of all times. Even though the birth of Jesus and all the events leading up to His birth are very familiar, may we never lose the awe and the majesty of the Savior of the world being born. Indeed, the birth of the Savior was good news of great joy. In verses 14 and 15, we see the compassion that God has for man: “And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased.’” God desires to be known and He extends compassion and love, and He desires for man and God to enjoy fellowship together. The birth of Jesus is the ultimate expression of the grace and mercy that God has for mankind. Before the birth of Jesus, man was separated from God because of the sins committed against God. Before Jesus, man could find forgiveness for his sins only by offering sacrifices to God. But at the right time, God gave His own perfect and sinless Son as the sacrifice for the sin of man-once for all. When Jesus became the sacrifice for our sins, amazing things happened; all sin was forgiven and the relationship between God and man was restored; no longer did sin separate man from God-Jesus paid in full the price for our sins. THE sin issue was dealt with for all times! Of course we know that if and when we as followers of Christ sin against God, we are to confess it and turn from it; when we sin, God has already forgiven the sin, but until we acknowledge our sin, we grieve the Spirit of God and we lose the sense of fellowship with our Father. But, with that being said, we must rejoice in the fact that God, through the sacrifice of Jesus, has opened wide the door to fellowship with Him and invites us to enjoy a relationship with Him.
Matthew 1:21-23 “And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins.” ‘Now all this took place that was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled, saying, ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated means, ‘God with us.’”
Blessings,
Buddy
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