Description
What is the meaning of Christmas?. Comes in a pack of 25.
MESSAGE:
“Away in a manger, no crib for His bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head.”
Those lines are from a very popular Christmas carol that has been sung by millions for many, many years. It is at the Christmas season each year that we remember the birth of Jesus Christ. This birth and celebration has been adopted by the world, and down through the years it has lost its significance. It was certainly a special birth and one we should commemorate, but the birth was only a beginning to an end that would hold far more value.
Unlike the birth of a baby today, the birth of Christ was not preceded by the many parties and gifts. No new furniture and toys. No painting and decorating the baby’s room. As a matter of Biblical record, there was no room to be had.
“And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn” (Lk. 2:7).
While there had not been the parties, there had been prophecy.
“Who hath heard our report? And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground.” He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we shall desire Him” (Isa. 53:1-2).
While there had not been the gifts, there was the gift of God’s beloved Son.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (Jn. 3:16).
This is certainly the greatest gift that has ever been given. John opens his gospel with a verse that perhaps gives us a good idea as to the greatness of the gift.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (Jn. 1:1, 14).
The incarnation is truly one of the greatest doctrines of the Bible. The marvelous message of God becoming man and dwelling among men is certainly a better message of Christmas than simply His birth. But nowhere in Scripture is the real message of the incarnation and the birth of Christ presented as it is in Philippians 2:5-8.
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
Christ, being God as we read in John 1:1, became “flesh and dwelt among us.” But more than that, He humbled Himself to death, even the shameful death of a Roman Cross. Through this Paul goes on to describe the joy and exaltation that followed.
“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: 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. 2:9-11).
Paul’s description of the incarnation goes beyond what John gave us. He tells of the humiliation involved in the birth, death, and then the glory in the resurrection and exaltation. John wrote of the love. Paul writes of what that love accomplished.
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him”(Rom. 5:8-9).
Is this not the real Christmas story? Is this not a better reason for celebration this coming holiday season? To know that not only did Christ come, but that He died, shedding His precious blood to purchase, once- and- for-all, the only way to escape eternal damnation.
“Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification” (Rom. 4:5).
This then is given as a free gift to all who will believe and place their faith in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.
“Moreover, brethren, I déclare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:1-4).
Yes, Christ was born, and it is nice to celebrate that birth, but it is far more important to remember that it was only the beginning to the end. Won’t you turn to Christ today? Recognize your need for a Savior, then ask Jesus Christ to come in and reign in your life as Lord. He will do that if we but believe and ask.
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Rom. 10:9).
CHRISTMAS
A Savior was promised to Israel of old,
And He came to His people as prophets foretold.
Bethlehem was chosen the place of His birth,
Angels announced Him, sang of peace on earth.
But He was rejected, even sentenced to die,
And a mystery unfolded from the Father on high;
He through the ages, God’s plan now we see,
His plan of salvation includes you and me.
The God of Israel is the very same one
Who offers us life through the death of His Son.
At this joyous season, if you are adrift,
Be saved and secure by accepting God’s gift.
Doris Corrigan
Dear Reader: Won’t you call upon the Lord Jesus Christ today to be your personal Lord and Savior? Simply pray this simple prayer:
Dear Lord, I know I am a sinner and deserve to die for my sins. I thank you for sending your only begotten Son to come to earth and die for my sins. I thank you for the forgiveness and ask you to save me right now. I trust you today! In Jesus’ name. Amen
If you prayed that prayer, we would like to hear from you. We would like to pray for you, rejoice with you, and send you some free literature that will help you in your new life in Christ. Simply write to us at the address on the back of this tract. Thank you.”
