Over the last 24 days Pastor Mary used the Jesse Tree to allow our spiritual family some time to grow in our connection with some of our fellow Biblical brothers and sisters. We have been able to see their connections with Jesus, and hopefully we have been able to identify areas of our own relationship with Jesus that need to be strengthened, stretched, refined, and ultimately grown up so our faith walk with Him is more firm and sharable with others.
Our brother, Luke, helps us this Christmas day to recall the birth of Jesus. Keep in mind that the Roman emperor, Augustus, was the “sovereign” ruler of what seemed to be the entire known world, and many viewed him as the “divine” king. But, for Joseph, Mary, and Israel, a census was a reminder that they were a conquered people. The Child that was to be born, Jesus, would be the fulfilment of the Old Testament Scriptures and would put an end to God’s Family being a “conquered people” by anyone, as He is the only Sovereign Ruler the Divine King for all of creation and for all eternity.
Friends, we “top off” our Jesse Tree with “the” star, the Star of Bethlehem. The star at the top of our Biblical tree reminds us to look up, to seek Jesus, the One Who is our true Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. As we rest in Christ, to bring us His Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love we must remember that being a part of God’s Family does not exempt us from trouble. In fact, Luke reminds us that even Joseph and Mary, the Holy Family, found themselves in trouble leading up to the birth of Jesus. We also know that Jesus found Himself in trouble during His physical existence. The same Jesus Who we celebrate His birth today, is the same Jesus Who was crucified for our sins. “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13)
Today, we must remember and celebrate the One Who came to save you and me, as The Star of Bethlehem is a reminder that the Gospel is for everyone. God used the most unlikely candidates and the lowliest of circumstances to announce and bring His Son into this broken world. So, never feel unworthy or ashamed because Jesus loves each one of us who call on Him. He wants to use all of us to share and spread His message of love. Share the Love of Christ with as many people today as possible. Merry Christmas, my friends.
Luke 2:1-20 NLT
The Birth of Jesus
1 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.
6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
The Shepherds and Angels
8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.
Prayer: Jesus, I thank You for coming into this world to save me. Far too often I do not feel worthy to accept what You have done for me, and so I thank You for taking my sin and reminding me of just how valuable I am as Your daughter. Holy Spirit, please guide me today and every day to be a blessing to others. I want to spread Your love, Jesus, I want more hearts to grow in love with You and to know Who You are and how You came to save them. I ask all of this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.