Just the fact that God stepped out of eternity into time is almost mind boggling. I read of the shepherds lowly and undeserving. I read of the angels amazed that the Creator was born in the image of the creature. I read of the wise men and that these Gentiles traveled far to praise the Lord Jesus Christ. I read of the manger and I am reminded that Jesus as a baby was still holding all His creation together as He played in the arms of His mother. I read all these things, and it is more than my mind can grasp.
I am reminded of the angel who visited the shepherds on that Judean hillside that night, and in the angel’s words we find the true glory of what we celebrate (Luke 2:8-14). Notice what the angel had to say about who this Baby is (Luke 2:11) again. As Savior, Jesus provided 3 essential services to the sinner:
- We are accepted in Him – (Ephesians 1:6)
- We are delivered in Him – delivered from sin’s penalty – power – and soon its presence
- We are preserved in Him – those whom Jesus saves are forever saved – (1 Peter 1:5)
Through Christ, we have access to God. Jesus came to do more than provide simple salvation, He came to allow us access into the very presence of Almighty God. So through Jesus we can:
- Approach the Father – (Hebrews 4:16) (1 Timothy 2:5)
- Appeal to the Father – (John 16:23)
Jesus is also our High Priest – He addresses the father on our behalf – He does this in two ways:
- He talks to the Father on our behalf – (Hebrews 7:25)
- He pleads our case before the throne of God – (1 John 2:1)
As Lord, He is the absolute authority in our lives and we are to recognize this truth and submit to it
- We are to allow Him the Headship in every area of our being
- God’s demand for total obedience is not too much to ask
- He knows that true love is always shown by obedience to Him
It’s Christmas time! As such we need to remember that the reason we are even here today is because of a baby born into this world 2,000 years ago
- That infant was no ordinary baby
- As Savior – He is worthy of our worship
- As Christ – He is worthy of our dependence
- As Lord – He is worthy of our obedience
- Jesus is worthy of all we can give to Him – what have you given Him this Christmas?