CHRISTMAS? A snake, Moses and Isaiah? YES: Jesus will soon be here!
What lingers under the Christmas Tree?
What do you love about Christmas?
Sing to the Lord a
new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm
have worked salvation for him. Psalm 96:1.
If you’re waiting for Jesus to return, you and I share a bond. We’re family, sons and daughters of the living God and adopted siblings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Do you realize the Bible ends with his commitment to return to earth a second time? Meanwhile we celebrate his birth.
History
documents his first appearance among men two thousand years ago, laying the
foundation for his second coming. He entered the world a tiny babe, born to a
humble village maiden in Nazareth. Jesus’ first home was among the poor, and he
understands poverty, embracing us with compassion in our hardships and
suffering. Yet he reigns as the eternal King of kings.
Christmas is just around the corner, and everyone is preparing for the festivities and buying special presents for family and friends.
The malls are overflowing with amazing gifts and sparkling displays, canned
carols, colored lights and magical trees, a sales pitch and shopping spree which
increases their profits, but may elevate your stress.
How will
your family celebrate Jesus’ birth? If Jesus is not part of your Christmas,
will you relax on holiday at the beach with family after a busy year? Family,
work and holidays are important because they’re among God’s precious gifts.
The deeper reason for Christmas lies with
Jesus, the best personal gift of our loving our Heavenly Father. Thank God
Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us, so we may love him, know him and trust in his
salvation. And as you decorate the Christmas tree or unpack a nativity scene, perhaps
you’ll contemplate how the Father of our Lord Jesus prepared the world for his
first appearance.
How
early in the year do you start your Christmas preparations? Do you know someone
who rushes to the Boxing Day sales and stocks her Christmas cupboard with
specials for the following festive season? They’re always preparing, regardless
of the month! Some folks set up their Christmas trees on the first weekend in
December, or even November!
Let’s
eavesdrop on the Cranston family as they begin their preparations.
Here goes!
Cindy
has unpacked the tree and lifted the box of baubles from the top shelf. The
tree stands tall in her lounge room, bare and ready for decoration. A box of
angels and various ornaments rests at her feet. As she sets the star aside and picks
up a tiny patriarchal figure, her son squints at her. The rubber snake he uses
to torment his little sister hangs from the pocket of his shorts.
“Who’s
that meant to be, mum?”
“Well, Brad, the Christmas story began before Genesis, the Bible’s first
book. God prepared for Jesus’ arrival before he’d even created the world. Would
you like to sit your snake under the tree? He is actually an important part of this
story.”
“My snake? I’ve never seen a snake on a Christmas tree.”
“God needed to send Jesus to earth. He promised
there’d always be battles between humans and the snake after it had fooled Adam
and Eve into eating the fruit. The snake stands for Satan in the Bible, but Jesus
came to earth to defeat him. Satan is always tempting us and trying to make us
forget about God, but when Jesus arrived on earth, he knew he’d introduce us to
his Heavenly Father before he died and rose again as a sacrifice for our sins. While
Satan is the villain, Jesus is the hero who conquers the battle against our
greatest enemy.”
“Sure, mum, but who’s the tiny dude draped in that blanket thing?”
“He’s Abraham, the father of the Jews. When he
first obeyed God by leaving his father’s house, God sent him to a foreign land,
promising him every nation of the earth would receive a blessing through one of
his descendants. Jesus belongs to Judah’s line, and you’ll remember Judah was
Abraham’s grandson. You can sit this important little man on a high tree
branch.”
“Okay.” Maddy drops the tinsel and picks up another figure holding an inscribed
stone tablet in his hands.
“Who is this?”
“That’s Moses, and he’s holding the plaque with the Ten Commandments. God gave him
those laws to teach the Israelites the best way to live and to explain
God’s protection over his people. You can sit him on the branch below the
figure of Abraham.”
“I don’t like rules. Why can’t I just have fun?”
“Knowing and obeying rules keeps you safe. When the Israelites broke them, they’d
lost sight of God. Now we need Jesus to rescue us.”
“Isaiah despaired over his people, Israel, because they had forgotten God’s
laws. He lived 700 years before Jesus’s birth, and God gave him a message that
one day he would send the Messiah to rescue his people. ‘For unto us a child is
born, a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulders. He will be
called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, everlasting Father, the Prince of
Peace.’ This section of Isaiah’s message was spectacular news.”
“Did he share with the Jews about Jesus’s coming?”
“He did, but he was sad because they wouldn’t listen to him. Despite his
warnings, they kept ignoring God and their enemies dragged them into captivity
for seventy years. But we can thank our heavenly Father Isaiah recorded it on a
scroll. All these predictions came true, which reassures us God is true to his
word.”
Cindy,
Brad and Maddy finish decorating their Christmas tree, arranging the angels, red
and green baubles, candy canes, and golden bells. Maddy winds more tinsel and
lights around the tree. They stand back to admire their handiwork.
“I love it! Now for the nativity scene.”
“Where shall we put it, mum?”
The children arrange the stable, the animals, and baby Jesus in the manger, and
Cindy wonders how much the children remember from last year.
“I know! Brad jumps about with excitement. “They were watching their sheep on a
hillside when the Lord’s angel showed up. He said Jesus was in David’s town
where they’d find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in manger.”
“Why did God send an angel?” Brad asked.
“Jesus wasn’t any ordinary baby because he’s God’s son. When an enormous
company of angels praised God, the shepherds knew he was special, and possibly
the Messiah. God also blessed Elizabeth and Zechariah by giving them a son
named John, who prepared the way for Jesus and taught the people about
repentance.”
“How did she realize her baby was the Messiah?”
“When the Holy Spirit came upon her, she became pregnant. She knew her baby was
unique, the Son of God.”
“Why did she need Joseph, and why did he marry her?”
“Yes, but it’s right here! Do you know the story behind it?”
“The wise men followed the star to Bethlehem, where they found Jesus.”
“The star and the tree lights remind us Jesus
is this world’s Light. It’s further evidence of God’s faithfulness. He foretold
Jesus’s coming and history revolves around this birth. Everything happened as
he promised. Now Jesus has warned us in the Bible to be prepared for his next return.”
“We believe he is our Saviour and trust in him. We celebrate his birth to thank
him for his love, wonderful life and sacrifice. And just as God sent prophets
to warn the people about their captivity, so we can invite folks to the Christmas
carol service where they can learn about Jesus.”
Would you like a special gift this Christmas?
A writer friend has authored an interesting booklet, JESUS, Mary and Joseph in which he has brought to life the gospel and the birth of Jesus through Joseph and Mary's eyes.
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