The month of December is here. For us as the holy people of God, the birth of Jesus as our Savior gets the focus of our attention. Behind Santa Claus, Rudolf the Red Nosed Raindeer, Frosty the Snowman, and the Grinch that stole Christmas, is our Jesus, born of Mary in Bethlehem. God incarnate, who took upon Himself human flesh, to be God’s and our Replacement and Substitute, to keep the 10 Commandments perfectly, because we can’t, and to go to the Cross and take the punishment for our sins, so that we are not punished for our sins, but, for His sake, forgiven, receiving life, and salvation.

The Christmas story is filled with miracles, wonders, and mystery. There is something for everyone. What is your favorite?

For those who like God keeping all of His promises, we have all of the Old Testament promises and prophesies about the Messiah fulfilled in Jesus. These include, “The Virgin will conceive, and give birth to a son.” (Isaiah 7:12)  Also, “But you Bethlehem Ephratha, from you shall come forth for Me One who is Ruler in Israel, Whose coming forth is from old, from ancient of days.”  (Micah 5:2)

For those who like power politics, there is Caesar who issued a decree that all Jewish people must counted, for a census for taxes. Each Jewish person and family must return to the town of their family origin and be counted.  This brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem.

If you enjoy a love story, what can beat the story of Joseph and Mary?  How the Angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would be the Mother of the Lord?  How Joseph was told and wanted to divorce Mary quietly?  How the Lord appeared in a dream and told Joseph to take Mary as his wife, because she was carrying the Christ child in her womb?  So, by faith, Joseph obeyed. For Joseph and Mary were chosen by God to be the parents of His Son.

If you like God working in mysterious ways, there were the Wise Men. The Kings from the East that brought to Jesus, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, gold, incense, and myrrh. The gold was used by Joseph and Mary to finance their trip down to Egypt.  For King Herod had found out that the Promised Messiah was born Bethlehem. So, He ordered that all Jewish boys 5 years old and younger be slaughtered. But Joseph warned in a dream, fled with Mary and Jesus down to Egypt, staying, until after King Herod died.

The most important part of the Christmas story is you. It was for you that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Jesus as your Savior is and will always be the best Christmas present ever.

May you grow closer to our Lord as you remember the Christmas story this Advent- Christmas Season.

The Lord’s Richest Blessings,  Pastor Brad Rick