12/9            Luke 2:13-15 

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.” 

REALLY

Really, did this just happen?  The shepherds’ lives were changed forever.  God had appeared and all of heaven was rejoicing.  Jesus is Lord.  Hallelujah. 

12/8            Luke 2:10-12

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.” 

READY

All of Earth was ready for the Messiah.  No one thought he would arrive like this.  He came just like we do.  Unknown, quietly to a mother and father struggling to take care of him and moving forward with their life.  Life is real.  Jesus is real.  He loves you. 

12/7            John 3:16

16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

LOVEGod is love.  He loves us and is seeking us so that we will be restored to His family.  

12/6            Isaiah 9:6

6 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

GOD

God is real. We have seen Him in Jesus.  

12/5            Matthew 2:1-2

1 Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 2 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” 

MAN

Jesus stepped down off of his throne in Glory and came to Earth.  He came so that we could have real life.  

12/4            Luke 2:17-20

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.

THE GOOD NEWS

Put your trust in Jesus and in God.  By faith we believe in Jesus and he is a rewarder of those that believe.  

12/3            Titus 3:3-7

3 Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other.  4 But— When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.  6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life. 

FORGIVE

Christmas is a time for to forgive one another and to genuinely care for and love one another.  Jesus equips us to love in spite of.  

12/2            1 Timothy 1:15-17

15 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. 16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen. 

WORST

Salvation extends over the worst of sinners if they believe in Jesus.

12/1            Galatians 4:4-5

4 But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law.  5 God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.

BORN

Jesus had to be born of a woman and had to live as a man on Earth so that he could pay for our sin.

11/30          Romans 11:34 

For who can know the LORD ’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice?  35 And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back?  36 For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.

ALL

We owe everything to Jesus.  He came and died for our sin and He provides reconciliation with the Father for us.  All we have and are we owe to Jesus.  Bless the name of the Lord.  Thank you Jesus.