Talk about Christmas and it’s amazing how the conversation soon turns to Santa Claus, presents, wrappings, food, family get-togethers and shopping. Now there’s nothing wrong with these things, but Christmas is a birthday. It is the birthday of the Lord Jesus Christ. Many are ignoring the celebration of the Son’s birth. Our text is the message given by an angel to Mary to tell of the greatest of all births, the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. The angel tells us why this birth is so important:

The name Jesus in Greek means "Jehovah saves". John the Baptist, pointing to Jesus said, "Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). Jesus said He came to "seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10) Mankind is separated from God by sin. "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:23). Jesus, came to earth, in the likeness of man, lived a sinless life and then paid our sin penalty on the cross. He died for our sin, rose again from the dead and now offers eternal life to, "whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord" (Rom 10:13) Jesus came to earth to give His life a ransom for your sin. Have you asked Him to be your Savior? Are you living your life for Him? That’s the real significance. Remove the coming of Christ to die for our sins and Christmas has no meaning. Also,

The prophet Isaiah, hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus said, "His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isa 9:6). The apostle John, who was with the Lord Jesus in His earthly ministry, said, "We beheld His glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14). Jesus is truly great. Great in His purpose, "I am come that they might have life" (John 10:10). Great in His promises, "He that comes to Me I will in no wise cast out." (John 6:37). Great in His person, "They shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is God with us." (Mat 1:23). How great is Jesus to you? Is He central in your celebration? The reason we can have joy is because of the Lord Jesus Christ. Don’t let anything or anyone take the real meaning out of the Christmas celebration. We celebrate the splendid Son. Then consider this,

Thomas, the apostle, seeing the risen Lord Jesus Christ said, "My Lord and my God" (John 20:28). John began his gospel this way, "In the beginning was the Word. The Word was with God and the Word was God." (John 1:1). The Creator of all entered His creation by incarnation. He took on Himself a body of flesh. The Bible teaches that Jesus is coming again. He will reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Paul, writing to the Philippians said, "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Phil 2:10,11) His mission, to accomplish the work of salvation. It is truly amazing that God would humble Himself and become like His own creation. At His second coming, He will come as the Splendid, Sovereign, Son of God. Are you looking forward to His coming?

A father and son shared a love for painting. They both collected famous masterpieces from many different artists. The son was called into war and paid the supreme sacrifice. The father was heartbroken. The only remembrance he had of his son was a painting done by a relatively unknown artist. Years later, the father died and art collectors from all over the world gathered to buy the masterpieces which had been part of his collection. The auction began with the painting of his son. Hardly anyone bid on it but an older lady, who had watched the son when he was just a baby. The art collectors waited breathlessly for the next painting to be auctioned, but the auctioneer suddenly stopped and began reading the will left by the father. It said, in part, "The one who purchases the painting of my son, is to be given all the other paintings in the collection without additional cost." The auction was over. How this should speak to each of us. In the son the Lord Jesus Christ, all the riches and blessings of God are ours. Do you know Him? Are you celebrating Him? Have a very merry Christmas.

God bless.