The Greatest Rescue Mission Known to Mankind

HAPPY BIRTHDAY,

Jesus was sent to us by God to save the world from sin, and to have eternal life.

According to John 3:16 – 17, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”

The birth of Jesus was no ordinary event by any means. In fact, it was a supernatural miracle that could only be orchestrated by the Divine Hand of God.

My favorite account of Jesus’ birth is taken from the gospel of Luke 2: 1 – 21.

“And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So, all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.

So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her first born Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manager, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.

Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”

And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as I it was told.

And when the eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.”

Jesus was the greatest gift ever given to mankind.

The following from Pastor Greg Lauire is a wonderful summation on why we celebrate Christmas…

JESUS made an unimaginable sacrifice at His birth. He went from the throne of Heaven to a feeding trough. He went from the presence of angels to a stable of animals. He who was larger than the universe became an embryo.

The apostle Paul summed it up well: “You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet or your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9 NLT).

No one who has ever lived has even remotely affected human history the way Jesus Christ has. He has been opposed, censored, banned, and criticized by every generation since His birth.

Yet His influence continues unabated. There has never been anyone like Jesus because Jesus was not just a good man. He was the God-Man who came and walked this earth because of the sacrifice of His Father. And that’s what we celebrate at Christmas.

May this Christmas season draw you closer to Jesus, who was the most influential man whoever walked the face of this earth.

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”

(Isaiah 9:6 NKJ)