Celebrate
Dec 2023 |
Life is filled with opportunities to celebrate: the arrival of a newborn child, accomplishing academic goals, purchasing your first car, moving into your first home, or finding someone who makes you heart skip a beat. One of the greatest expressions of celebration is in sports when thousands will stand to their feet and cheer. But we have a greater reason to celebrate—we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
While it is possible to celebrate Christmas without incorporating man-made traditions, which does trouble some Christians, all believers can celebrate the birth of Christ. Certainly this is a good reason to celebrate.
WE CELEBRATE THE INCARNATION
Isaiah, the Messianic prophet, proclaimed more than any other prophet the coming, the ministry, the death, the resurrection, and the millennial reign of the Messiah. He prophesied of the virgin birth of Jesus Christ. Time wise, true prophecy has to be separated far enough from the fulfillment so that it is clearly seen as prophecy. Seven hundred years before the event definitely met that condition. True prophecy also has to have specific details so that it is seen as clearly prophetic and not just guesswork. Isaiah said, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isa. 7:14). Immanuel means “God with us.” Imagine that—God sent His Son born of a virgin and living among us! Certainly, this is a good reason to celebrate.
WE CELEBRATE GOD’S LOVE
We celebrate God’s love. The Bible says, “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” (John 3:16). God’s love is a universal love that transcends national borders and ethnicities. That love went beyond mere words. God put action to His words of love. He gave us a baby, born of a virgin, who would grow up to express the love of God to us in the most tangible way. Certainly, this is a good reason to celebrate.
WE CELEBRATE THE PURPOSE
The importance of Jesus’ birth is found in the importance of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The birth was the physical implementation of God’s plan of redemption. The cradle of Christ is only important because the cross of Christ is important. We celebrate the birth of Christ because of the purpose of His incarnation. Jesus came to become the sin sacrifice, the Paschal Lamb, the kinsmen-redeemer, and the Savior for all who believe. His birth made it possible for Him to be our substitution on the cross. Certainly, this is a good reason to celebrate.
WE CELEBRATE HIS SOON RETURN
I have always loved celebrating the birth of Christ. As a child I would lay down in front of the nativity set and talk to “baby Jesus.” Of course now that I have grown up and benefited from the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the celebration means so much more. In the songs we sing, in the sermons we hear, and in the time we spend in His presence, we celebrate Christ.
He is coming back soon for His bride. In that moment, when we hear the trump of God and a divine shout, we will enter into a greater dimension of celebration. Till then, keep your faith on the completed work of Calvary and celebrate!
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