Earlier this month, I watched a TV special on the Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Center. A British singer named Raye sang “O Holy Night”, one of my favorite Christmas songs. I wondered whether it was possible to sing this magnificent song and miss the words.
Fall on your knees; O hear the Angel’s voices
O night divine, O night when Christ was born
Angels from heaven proclaimed the Messiah, Emmanuel, the Light of the World had come. O Come Let Us Adore Him.
The Promised Messiah
Although there are well over 300 Messianic prophecies in the Old Testament, the baby Jesus came as a surprise to most of the world, including the religious leaders of the time. The Jewish people went over 400 years without a word from God.
Where was the promised Messiah of Isaiah 9:6?
For to us, a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
What a wonderful promise.
But did God hear the cries of His people? Would He respond?
Sitting on this side of the first Christmas, we know that baby Jesus was born “Away in the Manger” one “Silent Night”. This birth reset the calendar from Before Christ (BC) to Anno Domini – the year of our Lord (AD).
Nothing would be the same again.
A God-sized Hole
We were all created in God’s image – those we love, those we like, and even those who cut us off on the highway. Within each of us is a God-sized hole. That hole cannot be filled with wisdom, wealth, power, work, pleasure, or any other “thing”. The wisest man that ever lived, King Solomon, tried and failed (Ecclesiastes 1 & 2).
 
But we still try. Each Christmas we seek “Peace on Earth” in worldly things. The “perfect Christmas” will occur if I get the luxury car with a large bow on top that we saw on TV or host the perfect dinner with none of the usual family squabbles. And of course, we fail. Only the God Who created each of us can fill the hole in our hearts.
From the beginning of time, God had a plan to bring us back into a perfect relationship with Him. In God’s perfect timing, the baby Jesus was born.
The First Christmas
Luke 2:8-20 tells us the story of that first Christmas:
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13Â Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16Â So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17Â When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18Â and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19Â But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20Â The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Heaven touched Earth – Hallelujah!
This child fills the God-sized hole in each of our hearts. All is well. For those who hunger for peace on earth, the time of waiting is over. Our prayers were heard. The silence has been broken. The promise was kept.
Emmanuel – God with us.
Simeon, a righteous and devout Jew, was waiting for the consolation of Israel. The Holy Spirit was on him and revealed that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. When he saw the baby Jesus with Mary and Joseph, he proclaimed (Luke 2:30-32)
For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.
Our salvation. God’s glory.
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16).
The Perfect Gift
This gift from God is available to everyone, but it is not automatic. It requires a response.
Have you received God’s perfect gift? You must receive it. Romans 10:9-10 promises that
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
Forgiveness, God’s constant presence, abundant and eternal life. Sounds like the perfect gift to me.
Will you receive God’s perfect gift, Jesus Christ, this Christmas?
Welcome to our world, Baby Jesus!
Merry Christmas to the faithful readers of Inspire-A-Fire. May God shower His blessings on you throughout the coming year and draw you ever closer to Him.
Images from Pixabay and generated by ChatGPT.
Merry Christmas!
Amen! Wishing you blessings in the new year.
Forgiveness. I can’t imagine a more exciting gift!