My whole life I’ve carefully protected a secret I’m not willing to share with most people. There are only a few trusted friends who I’ve shared my secret with. Most of my friends don’t believe it. They all think I’m crazy.
But tonight I will share it with my most trusted friend. For a year, I’ve hidden it and she’s never suspected. Tonight her entire world may change. Tonight the truth will finally be revealed. I hope she embraces the truth… Lord, where are you? Please give me a sign so that I know you are near.
Have you ever felt like this? Like you need a sign from God himself before you muster enough courage to take the next step?
But what if I told you that God has already sent you a sign? And He didn’t want you to miss it, so the miraculous birth of Jesus was prophesied 800 years before the wise men ever followed the star.
In Isaiah 7:14, it was predicted “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”
Immanuel means God is with us.
The Lord gave everyone on Earth a sign when the prophecy was fulfilled. Mary found favor with God and although she was a virgin, she conceived and gave birth to a Son, who was named Jesus (Luke 1: 30-31).
In case you were wondering. Jesus lived the natural life of a child, developed into a teenager, and grew to be a man. He rested after a long hike just like we do. He needed water to quench his thirst, food to fill his belly, and on at least one occasion angrily overturned a few tables.
Satan tempted Jesus just like he tempts us with the desire for power. But the difference is that Jesus never sinned. He did not give into Satan’s temptations, but resisted.
Jesus’ physical body died just like every other human eventually does. However, Jesus died on a cross.
God the Father had sent him to Earth for a specific purpose. He was a ransom for our sin. He willingly paid our penalty with his own flesh and blood. The reason this was necessary is because all of the human race had sinned against God.
Mean words pop into our human brains, our mouths spout hurtful remarks, and our hands commit cruel actions that break God’s laws. Because of our sin, we were under God’s wrath.
But God loved his people so much that He revealed a plan to redeem those who love Him.
Jesus lived a sinless life, so that He could become the perfect sacrifice. The lamb of God who will take away the sins of the world. All of the worlds’ sins were placed upon Jesus as he hung on the cross. Jesus died, so that we can live. He died in our place.
Because Jesus died to pay the penalty for our sin, we are redeemed by God. We can pray to God and He hears us.
But Jesus’ tomb is empty! This is because on the third day after his physical body died, Jesus rose again. He visited many people during this time like his brothers, Mary Magdalene, Peter, and the other disciples.
I’m certain his friends and followers were expecting Jesus to reign on earth after his resurrection. But Jesus ascended to Heaven while people gazed upon Him.
Because Jesus is alive in heaven today, we can call on him for help. He is our Savior. God said he would be called Jesus, because he will save us from our sins (Matthew 1:21).
When we sin, we can call upon Jesus. God gave Jesus the authority to forgive our sins when we turn away from them (Acts 5:31). Jesus is the only Savior.
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 NIV
Will you accept God’s gift to you?
Will you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that God has raised the Lord Jesus from the dead?
If you say yes, then you will be saved.
If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved. Romans 10: 9-10
Two Reasons to Celebrate the Birth of Christ
- One day Christ will return to earth and take us to be with him (John 14:3).
- Anyone who believes in their heart that God raised Jesus from the dead will be physically resurrected and live eternally with him.
The dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality (1 Corinthians 15: 52- 53).
How will you respond to Jesus this Christmas?
Will you receive Him as your Lord and Savior?
If you need more information first, read How to Find Peace.
Will you allow Jesus to be the Lord of your life?
Will you praise Him with your lips by praising His name? Perhaps you may pray or worship Him in song. Maybe you will decide to treat your body as the holy temple that it is. Or maybe you will tell a close friend what you have seen Jesus do in your life. Perhaps you will share how your relationship with God the Father and God the Son, Jesus, pours power into your life on a daily basis.
Who could you share Christ with?
If you have a friend who you have never spoken to about why you celebrate Christmas, don’t hesitate… God is with you and will you give the words you need.
However, you can always share this post with them as well.
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