Unto us a Child is Born
Luke 2:8-14
There were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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, good will toward men.
The first Christmas, the first Christmas present. For GOD so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. No Christmas trees or mistletoe, only hay in a manger. No stockings hung by the chimney, only a lowly stable in a small village. No brightly wrapped presents, only a child wrapped in swaddling clothes. Only a child...
This was GOD's only Son, but He was not born in a royal palace, not born to Kings of the earth. This royal child, born to be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, came quietly amid the beasts He had formed in His own hands. He came not in the majesty that was His right, but in fragile human flesh. He came not to rule but to die for the world He had created. He came not as a King but as a servant.
For unto YOU a Savior is born, which is Christ the Lord. Though the world went busily on, too self consumed to realize what had come into their midst, the heavens could not contain the Joy. His birth was not hailed in the halls of power, nor in the councils of the wise, but in the fields among lowly shepherds. These common men were the first to hear the Gospel, the Good News of Christ.
Such a gift, such Love. This small, wonderful child that would grow in grace and wisdom and in time lay down His life that the Gift might be complete. For His flesh was formed to be scourged, His hands to bare nails, His tiny heart pumping blood that would in time be poured out for our sin. And the world took little notice...
Today the world still takes little notice. They are still too busy, too self consumed, to realize what has come into their midst. But still the gift is offered. Still GOD so loves the world...
And what gift do we offer our King this holiday season? What do we lay before Him as we celebrate His birth? He gave us His life, can we offer less? Can we just go to midnight mass and maybe sunrise service in the spring, is that enough? GOD gave His only begotten Son. Church once or even twice a week, is that enough? Jesus gave His Life. Our tithe, a tenth of what we have, is that enough? Just what is equal to what GOD has given us, what price can be put on eternal life gained through the suffering and death of a Son? An only Son. The very WORD made Flesh. We have nothing to offer... but ourselves.
We have nothing to give but what He has given us... Life. As the shepherds did when they heard the first proclamation of the Gospel, all we can do is leave our flocks in the field and go to Him. Cast aside all that we hold dear, all that we think of as 'ours' and fall before His feet. All we have, and all we are, is as nothing when placed beside His gift to us. As Peter left his nets, as Matthew his career as a publican, we must be willing to give up all and follow Him.
This little child born in Bethlehem of Judea, this gift given to all mankind, this gift of Love given by our Heavenly Father, is still given us THIS DAY. Christmas didn't just happen around 2000 years ago, Christmas isn't just once a year, GOD's gift to us is eternal as He is eternal.
Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which is to all people. For unto us was born that day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. GOD loves you so much, He gave His only begotton Son. Jesus loves you so much that he layed down His life for you. What will you give Jesus on His birthday?