Mark
You are probably saying, "Hey, that's not a Christmas verse!" I would have agreed with you before this past month of December -but, let me explain! As pastor of FBC I am continually praying and looking for God to present me with opportunities that bring the body of believers together and strengthen us as the "church" Jesus died for and expects us to be. In November, I came across a little 30 day Christmas devotional experience that could be purchased for a discounted rate ---the greater the volume purchased, the lower the per unit price! I was led to do so! On December 1st, those who chose to within the body at FBC began this journey where we read a very short devotional each day on one of the names of Jesus. On day 11, the devotional was centered upon the name, "Son of Man." I began to read about a side of the Christmas story not often told---and God began to expand the story in my mind and heart. The Holy Spirit provided 23 chromosomes and joined those with the Virgin Mary's 23 and this formed the most unique individual ever to be born on this earth! Jesus was God come to earth in human flesh! Human, yet a holy and spotless individual who chose to remain that way all of His days on earth in order to be our atoning sacrifice for sin. Consider the fact that the little pudgy hands that reached out to caress the face of his mother and touch the noses of the animals were formed so that nails could be driven through them for you and I 33 years later! Those little pudgy baby feet that Mary would run her finger across the bottoms of to make Him squirm and giggle would walk up a dusty hill only to be nailed to an old rugged cross—for you and I! That sweet little head that Mary and Joseph were so careful to hold up as they looked into those sparkling eyes and spoke baby-talk to, would provide the brow of which an angry crown of thorns would be driven into-for you and I! That tender little body, protected by His parents and wrapped in swaddling clothes would one day be torn by roman whips and pierced by a roman spear for you and I! Jesus:the baby in a manger, the Christ child of whom we celebrate His birth each year was born to die! "Not a good, positive Christmas thought" you say? Oh---I beg to differ! 33 years later, when Jesus willingly gave his life on the cross, a ransom for many, He provided the "ULTIMATE" Christmas gift that could NEVER be topped! Eternal salvation for ALL who believe in Him with all their heart! In 2 Corinthians 6:2, the apostle Paul tells us that NOW ---the "present" is the day of salvation! Each day we wake-we do so in the present. This Christmas, open the greatest gift ever given---in the form of the baby ---who was born to die---and defeat death to rise again and PRESENTLY sit at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us!
Merry CHRIST-mas
Pastor Tim