An eternal plan
In the Book of John he starts off by writing about God's purpose - that it was much more than "the event." God has always had a divine plan and "the event" has always been wrapped up in His divine plan. And . . . God has invited each and every one of us to be part of His eternal plan for His Son, Christ Jesus.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
A divine family
God has called us to be His children - as part of His eternal family. Our "flesh" family is here on earth and will be with us in heaven where we will spend eternity with all who believe in and follow Jesus.
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
God's desire to be with us
Emanuel means "God is with us." He came in the flesh and wants to be with me - with you. God loves us so much that He wants to be with us AND we can be with Him. Not only was He born . . . but He went to the cross to die for us.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen (beheld) his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
God's desire to reveal His Glory in His Son
God revealed His Glory through the star that brought the Wise Men (Kings) to Jesus. He revealed His Glory through His angels that appeared to the shepherds. It did not matter to God whether they were a lowly shepherd or a great king. God's message was brought to those who had no personal agenda. Those with no personal agenda are welcome to come to Him. When we lay down our personal agendas we can come to Him.
God does not do anything because He has to. Everything He does is natural to Him. He made this decision - to send His Son to us - out of His heart of love for us - before creation.
Jesus is the Lamb of God
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
Jesus became worthy - not as a lion (even though we call Him the "Lion of Judah") - but as a lamb - to take away the sin of the world. A lamb is dependent - Jesus was dependent on God. If Jesus didn't take away the sin of the world - then Christmas is just another celebration of a birth.
But it was through God's eternal plan that He sent Jesus to us.
24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to behold my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.(John 17:24)
The Greatest Christmas Present ever . . . is to give Jesus your life - your heart. God humbled Himself when He came to us as a baby . . . so we would humble ourselves before Him.
Merry CHRISTmas one and all.
[Press the green button to hear a beautiful song that puts the "manger" into perspective.]