A Christmas Message

Glory to God, my friends. This is the season to celebrate the birth of Jesus. He is Lord and worthy to be praised. He left his throne in glory to come to earth as a babe.  He was born in a lowly manger to a virgin girl, named Mary. In doing that, he defied and tore down all man-made illusions about how the Savior of the world would come to this earth! So, rejoice and take joy in celebrating the arrival of our Savior, Jesus Christ!

Wars and Upheaval

Even as Christ’s birth is celebrated, there are so many reminders of the worldwide turbulence and destruction. A recent terrorist attack on Israel, started by Hamas (funded by Iran), brought horrific deaths and carnage to Israeli citizens. The resulting war has also resulted in massive deaths and devastation in the lives of the Palestinian people. The Russian dictator, Vladimir Putin, invaded and has indiscriminately killed innocent people and wrought havoc upon the sovereign democratic nation of Ukraine. Isil, Boko Haram and al-Qaeda  affiliates continue to terrorize the African continent (Nigeria, Chad, Somalia, Mozambique, North Africa and the Sahel Region). Constant violence permeates various Caribbean and South American nations. China and North Korea loom menacingly over the nearby sovereign nations and territories in the region. And the list goes on, even manifesting here in the US with a Capitol Hill Insurrection, racial/ethnic and antisemitic persecution, hatred of Christians—their belief in Jesus and his Word, divisive culture wars, as well as political strife that threatens the very fabric of our constitutional democratic nation. And so it is and yet, he came!

Upheavals and danger have plagued the world since the beginning of time, looming everywhere even when Jesus walked the earth! At that time, the Roman Empire had invaded Israel and was occupying it much like Russia would like to do to Ukraine today. (At Jesus’ birth, Augustus was the Roman emperor; Tiberius, his son, was emperor when Jesus was crucified.) Insurgent groups continuously revolted against the Roman occupation of the land of Israel. In addition to that, the Romans had invaded Europe, but they were defeated by an alliance of various Germanic tribes. China was in constant upheaval. Two dynasties, the Western Han Dynasty and the Xin Dynasty were overthrown one after another. Bible even documents Herod’s violence against Jesus and the Jewish nation. Herod, the tetrarch ruler of Galilee, wanted to kill Jesus when he was born because he feared any opposition to his authority. However, the Magi refused to report back to him about Jesus’ location. So, Herod ordered the killing of every male Hebrew child under the age of two in the Bethlehem area. (Matthew 2:16-18) And so it was and yet he came!

Jesus, Himself, acknowledged the wicked devastation that would come. He declared in Matthew 24:6-8; 12-13:

“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nations will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famine and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.”. . . Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”

And so it is and will be and yet, he came!

Watch and Pray

So, brothers and sisters, during these turbulent times, the Lord  admonishes Christians not to be deceived, but to remain vigilant and stand firm. False messiahs and false prophets, displaying signs and wonders will cause many to turn away from the faith. Those who are deceived will, not only turn away from the faith, but they will also betray and hate each other. The true believers, those  who stand, will be instrumental in fulfilling the kingdom purpose of taking salvation to all nations.(Matthew 24:10-14)

This blessed holiday marks the time that we celebrate the birth of Jesus, and yes, he did come and he will return! So celebrate and rejoice in Jesus’ birth. But also be vigilant, stand firm, watch and pray for the time is short.

Be blessed, dear friends and have a joyful Christmas holiday.

Scripture References for Meditation:

Luke 2:11    Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

Matthew 1:21   She will bear a Son; and you shall call his name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.

Matthew 1:23    Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel.

Isaiah 9:6   For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Colossians 1:23  . . . if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven. . .