Christmas is more than just holidays, Father Christmas and presents.
To celebrate and enjoy the season, one should remember its origins
because the real Christmas story is found in the Holy Bible with the
Birth of Jesus Christ. The Child, Born that night over two thousand
years ago, is the Light of the World, King of Kings and the Son of God.
The Christmas Story, of Angels and Mary, a young Jewish girl from Galilee who gave Birth to a King in a humble stable, the simple, hard-working shepherds who came to adore Jesus, the bright Star of Bethlehem and the Wise Men who followed it bearing gifts makes the festive season special because the Birth was a miracle and, it gave the world a Savior.
The Birth of Jesus begins with a reference to Caesar Augustus, Emperor of the powerful, Roman Empire and, of Jesus, a Jewish, Baby Boy Born into poverty. The contrast couldn't be greater.
"And so it came to pass in those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem, the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went to register with Mary who also, was a descendent of King David and of the tribe of Judah. Mary was expecting a Child. While there, the time came for the Baby to be Born."
The joyous event of the Birth of Jesus was announced by an Angel to lowly shepherds accompanied by Angelic praise. The bright Star of Bethlehem revealed the Birth to the Gentile (non-Jewish), Wise Men who came to bow and worship the newborn King. The Gentiles later, would make up most of the Christian world because, from that foundation, Christianity grew, sending off branches in many directions from ancient Jerusalem.
God chose for His Son to be born in a humble stable, and placed in an animal feeding-trough for a Crib surrounded by farm animals. Jesus came into this world in humility, simplicity and in poverty to identify with the poor, and the down-trodden. And, Mary, the Mother of Jesus, is a wonderful example of humility, courage, faith and willingness to do God's Will.
That humble stable was filled with the Presence of God. Through His Son, Jesus Christ, the Savior, God gave us a way to inherit the Heavenly, Kingdom of God. Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity, taught people to love God, to love their neighbor and fellow-man, to treat other people as they themselves wish to be treated. He preached equality, care for the weak and needy, He fought sin, yet He did not despise sinful people. He was willing to forgive and to heal and He taught that repentance and faith could save people. The Apostles and other early Christians went everywhere carrying the Message of Jesus and the Word of God to all continents and all peoples.
The Wise Men remind us that Christmas is a time for giving. It is a time for peace and goodwill to all as we look forward to the joy of the season. And, Christmas Day is marked by church services and the traditional, Christmas table spread out before us where we can all sit down together with the family to enjoy a Christmas feast that brings joy and happiness to every heart.
The Christmas Story, of Angels and Mary, a young Jewish girl from Galilee who gave Birth to a King in a humble stable, the simple, hard-working shepherds who came to adore Jesus, the bright Star of Bethlehem and the Wise Men who followed it bearing gifts makes the festive season special because the Birth was a miracle and, it gave the world a Savior.
The Birth of Jesus begins with a reference to Caesar Augustus, Emperor of the powerful, Roman Empire and, of Jesus, a Jewish, Baby Boy Born into poverty. The contrast couldn't be greater.
"And so it came to pass in those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem, the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went to register with Mary who also, was a descendent of King David and of the tribe of Judah. Mary was expecting a Child. While there, the time came for the Baby to be Born."
The joyous event of the Birth of Jesus was announced by an Angel to lowly shepherds accompanied by Angelic praise. The bright Star of Bethlehem revealed the Birth to the Gentile (non-Jewish), Wise Men who came to bow and worship the newborn King. The Gentiles later, would make up most of the Christian world because, from that foundation, Christianity grew, sending off branches in many directions from ancient Jerusalem.
God chose for His Son to be born in a humble stable, and placed in an animal feeding-trough for a Crib surrounded by farm animals. Jesus came into this world in humility, simplicity and in poverty to identify with the poor, and the down-trodden. And, Mary, the Mother of Jesus, is a wonderful example of humility, courage, faith and willingness to do God's Will.
That humble stable was filled with the Presence of God. Through His Son, Jesus Christ, the Savior, God gave us a way to inherit the Heavenly, Kingdom of God. Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity, taught people to love God, to love their neighbor and fellow-man, to treat other people as they themselves wish to be treated. He preached equality, care for the weak and needy, He fought sin, yet He did not despise sinful people. He was willing to forgive and to heal and He taught that repentance and faith could save people. The Apostles and other early Christians went everywhere carrying the Message of Jesus and the Word of God to all continents and all peoples.
The Wise Men remind us that Christmas is a time for giving. It is a time for peace and goodwill to all as we look forward to the joy of the season. And, Christmas Day is marked by church services and the traditional, Christmas table spread out before us where we can all sit down together with the family to enjoy a Christmas feast that brings joy and happiness to every heart.
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