The Christmas Story - What we truly celebrate

The story of Christmas is about a young person named Jesus. He was predicted to be born by the word of God written in the Bible over 400 years before it actually happened.

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

He was also predicted by an angel who came to his mother - before she was his mother - telling her that she was selected to have a boy. The angel gave her the name that her Son must have.

And, behold, thou shall conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name JESUS. And it happened as it was written. And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

His life was full of miraculous healings for sick people, and telling the people that he had a mission, to spread good news that God still loved them. However, the people didn't necessarily understand. Some even hated him because he claimed to have a message from God, in fact, they hated him because he claimed to come from God.

Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

So, he told them that he would one day die because of this hate, nailed to cross, but that if he was truly from God, he would come back to life, because God is all powerful, all loving.

And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

Three days after he died on the cross, he truly was risen from the dead. He still had the holes in his body from the moments he died.

The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the LORD. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. Then appearing said he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

We have come to believe him, and therefore a promise that he made. He said that if we would believe in him, that he was from God, that God actually sent a message to people that they were still loved, we could ask for this living Jesus for forgiveness from the things we've done wrong in our lives. That's all that was necessary to receive the love that was promised. That promise is still available to people today, if you would believe that you can be forgiven just by asking Jesus.

That if you shall confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and shall believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, you shall be saved.

The Christmas tree is a symbol of bringing something of life (Jesus) from the outside (of your heart), to the inside (of your heart).  The lights are a symbol of the changes in your life (Jesus) as the lights (his love)  brighten every aspect of the darkness (in your life).  The presents are a symbol of the freely giving (Jesus life) without regard for what is given in return.  What we receive from Jesus (eternal life) is greater than anything we can ever put under a tree, but, we use the time to remember that gift and share the memory with others.

Bill Kassler
http://www.FutureComing.com/