Gospel for God’s Children by Linda Shields:
December first, the beginning of Advent, that which has been awaited, the coming! It's finally here! The arrival of a notable person, thing or event!
As a child you know how excited you get about your own birthday, but also as a child you know how excited you get about Jesus' birthday, which is a thousand times more exciting!!! Everyone in the world celebrates His birthday. Lights, decorations, parades, parties, presents for everyone, candy and the food!
God was so excited about His Son's birth that he sent out birth announcements hundreds of years before his tiny son arrived in the world.
There was enough time to build him a world class hospital to be born in, but instead, folks were caught off guard and taken by surprise, so our little King was born in a cattle stall, in a sheep fold, greeted into the world by startled and humble shepherds. The wise men were somewhat more prepared at least, they brought baby shower gifts that were fit for a king.
In the book of Isaiah chapter 7: 14, it says, "All right then, the Lord himself will choose a sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel- ' God is with us.'” Also in the book of Isaiah, chapter 9:6 "For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on his shoulders. These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah wrote these prophetic words 700 - 681 BC. These verses told who Jesus was In the book of Micah, chapter 5 : 2, written around 742 - 687, he tells the location where Jesus would be born. "But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village in Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, whose origins are from the distant past."
The Life Application Bible states that "God promised to provide a new king to bring strength and peace to his people.” Hundred of years before Christ's birth, God promised that the eternal king would be born in Bethlehem. It was God's great plan to restore his people through the Messiah.
The gift of salvation was God's gift to us through His Son, Jesus the Messiah. The gift of eternal life when we leave this life, to be delivered by angels before our heavenly father in heaven, our new home. A forever home, perfect in every way. All because God loves us.
This Christmas season, let us each and everyone accept the wonderful gift of Jesus Christ into our hearts. In the book of Revelations chapter 3:20, it states, "Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as friends."
Jesus is at your heart's door, will you invite him in this Christmas?
Welcome Jesus with your heart home, it's so much nicer than a stable.
Thank you God for your gift of Jesus. This Christmas we pray that everyone will accept him into their heart homes. Help us all to share the good news of his birth with others that they too may have the gift of his salvation. In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Merry Christmas and God Bless