Every year in America, families travel to be with members of their family. This may require a car ride across town or to another state. To anyone spread out from family, a plane trip is necessary to be with ones whom you love. As for Mary, the teenage mother of Jesus, she is the only one who witnessed the birth of Jesus and His death on a cross.
And the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found grace ([y]free, spontaneous, absolute favor and loving-kindness) with God. 31 And listen! You will become pregnant and will give birth to a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great (eminent) and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His forefather David, Luke 1:30-32.
Based upon the prophecies throughout the Bible like Genesis 3:15, the birth of Jesus is only the beginning of this Christmas story. When Jesus began his earthly ministry at age 30, He started dropping hints to what would come in the near future. While Christmas has become a feel good story to end each calendar year, Jesus’ death and resurrection places a bow on God’s plan for redemption, John 3:16-17.
Do not let your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated). You believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely on God; believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely also on Me. 2 In My Father’s house there are many dwelling places (homes). If it were not so, I would have told you; for I am going away to prepare a place for you. 3 And when (if) I go and make ready a place for you, I will come back again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And [to the place] where I am going, you know the way, John 14:1-14.
The apostle Paul points to the death in Christmas in Romans 5:7-8. Meanwhile, Jesus unveils God’s will for His life in John 15:12-13. Based upon Old Testament practices, the shedding of blood was necessary as Paul highlights in Ephesians 1:7. As individuals unwrap gifts placed under a tree, the ultimate gift is found in Romans 6:23. This is the life and death in Christmas that the lost need to hear this Christmas, Luke 19:10.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 