JESUS—The Real Truth of CHRIST-mas!
“Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”
(The Gospel According to Luke 1: 34-35 NASB)
The angel [the angel Gabriel sent by God] answered and said to her,
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and
the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and
for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.”
There may have been—
- Other sons born in Bethlehem that night,
- Other sons born and wrapped in swaddling clothes,
But there was only one child—
- Prophesized as the Messiah,
- Proclaimed by the host of angels, &
- Placed in a manger, an animal’s feeding trough.
Good morning. Welcome to The Real Truth of CHRIST-mas!
Many years ago, my husband and I participated in a local road race, my first 5K. On that particular December day, we ran through a small downtown in southcentral Kentucky, jogging with other runners on that beautiful Sunday afternoon. There are many races found within this world, but what I found special about the Jingle Bell Jog were the stations (the tables) along the route. When the gun sounded, we ran forward, beginning to cover our first meters, and ahead we could see the first table laden with wrapped presents. You read correct: WRAPPED PRESENTS.
You see, the Jingle Bell Jog is a precious little race in small downtown USA that allows participants to choose a gift to open as they run the length of the 5K race, but there is a decision to be made.
That’s Right.
When a person approaches one of the present-laden tables, the runner may—
- Pass on by the present-laden table, running past the group stopped near that station. OR
- Stop, select a present, leaving it unopened, and run forward in the race, running toward the next station. OR
- Stop, select a present, & choose to open the gift.
The Jingle Bell Jog is a novel idea, a ‘fun’ run, and a joy-filled way to spend a Sunday afternoon before Christmas.
Pause to see JESUS—The Real Truth of CHRIST-mas!
Pause to see JESUS—The Only Gift We Will Ever Need!
Mary, the Mother of Jesus, a young teenage girl, engaged to marry a carpenter named Joseph—gave birth to her firstborn son. Firstborn! Born of a virgin! Given by God!
There would be other sons (and daughters) born to Mary and Joseph.
In their home in Nazareth, there would be earthly siblings born, siblings who would be born AFTER JESUS!
“When they had entered the city [Jerusalem],
[the disciples of Jesus who had just see the ascension of Jesus back to heaven]
they went up to the upper room where they were staying;
that is,
- Peter and John and James and Andrew,
- Philip and Thomas,
- Bartholomew and Matthew,
- James the son of Alphaeus,
- and Simon the Zealot,
- and Judas the son of James.
These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer,
- along with the women,
- and Mary the mother of Jesus, and
- with His [earthly] brothers
[those brothers born to Mary & Joseph After the Birth of Jesus].”
(The Acts of the Apostles 1: 13-14 NASB)
Jesus, the KING of kings, the Messiah, the Son of God, would grow up with earthly brothers and sisters with Mary & Joseph in their home in Nazareth,
The significance of Jesus’ birth should be examined:
- Jesus was 1st-BORN!
- Jesus was foretold by the angel Gabriel.
- Jesus was born of a virgin.
- Jesus was wrapped in swaddling clothes and placed in a manger.
GOD’S ONLY BEGOTTEN SON WAS GIVEN TO THE WORLD!
- The 1st—BORN SON was sacred.
- The 1st—BORN SON was dedicated to God.
- The 1st—BORN SON was prophesized from the prophets of old.
- The 1st—BORN SON was given the name Jesus.
- The 1st—BORN SON was proclaimed by the angels & worshipped by the Magi.
The apostle Paul explained the significance like this—
“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,
who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,
- but emptied Himself,
- taking the form of a bond-servant, and
- being made in the likeness of men.
Being found in the appearance as a man,
He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death,
- even death on a cross.
For this reason also,
God highly exalted Him, and
bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are
- in heaven and
- on earth and
- under the earth,
and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
(The Letter of Paul to the Philippians 2: 5-11 NASB)
JESUS—The Real Truth of CHRIST-mas!
Thus, maybe you have been reading this writing—
- detailing the birth of Jesus,
- displaying the disciples & Jesus’ earthly family after His ascension back to heaven &
reading this writing—
- wondering why God would send His only begotten Son to earth,
- wondering why God would allow Jesus to be born to a virgin,
- wondering why God would have Mary & Joseph place baby Jesus in a manger in the stable
& how in the world all this relates to the JOY found in running the Jingle Bell Jog.
THE REAL TRUTH of CHRIST-mas Is the TRUTH of GOD we must not miss this Christmas.
If you were going west, living your life just as you thought best, there is no reason for you to turn and suddenly go EAST—so God had to turn you around.
If you were running in a race, the life-race, one filled with various presents for you to choose, there is reason for you to stop & suddenly pick up a certain present—so God had to send the gift of His Only Son to Save those who choose to BELIEVE.
If you were racing through life, living the best way you know to live, there is no reason for you to lay aside whatever is hindering your witness, causing you to stumble—so God had to continually give His children reminders within His Word.
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us,
- let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and
- let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
fixing our eyes on Jesus,
- the author and perfecter of faith,
- who for the joy set before Him
- endured the cross,
- despising the shame, and
- has set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
(The Letter to the Hebrews 12: 1-3 NASB)
May we this Christmas—
- Choose JESUS, the gift of God sent to us!
- Choose THE REAL REASON for this season!
- Choose to BELIEVE & to RECEIVE JESUS—the Truth & the Way to know God!
- Choose to LAY ASIDE SINS that continually entangle and hinder our witness!
- Choose to FIX OUR EYES ON JESUS as we run in this life-race!
Merry Christmas!
JESUS—The Real Truth of CHRIST-mas!