Reflections

And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.  In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”  Luke 2: 7-14

Many people say that the Christmas season has become so commercial and people are only focused on buying gifts and getting gifts.  There are some who do not celebrate Christmas because they do not believe that Jesus was born in December and think it is foolish to celebrate.  It is a time that we should reflect on what God did through the birth of Jesus Christ.

For hundreds of years God remained silent in Israel.  All the people had were prophesies of the coming Messiah.  Here at the birth of Jesus the Angels inform the shepherds in the field that their Savior had been born.  How fitting that the Angels revealed this to the shepherds since Jesus is called the Good Shepherd and we are His sheep.  He was born in very humble beginnings in a stable and was laid in a manger.  He was not born in a palace or even the local inn.  But Jesus was of royal priesthood.  He came through the line of David and as David was told by God that His kingdom would reign forever and ever.

What the people did not fully understand was that Jesus’ birth at this time was not about Jesus becoming King and taking over Israel’s enemy, but He came to conquer sin and death.  God is always concerned about our spiritual state with Him above any earthly state or position.  Jesus was not born to be just a King, but He was born to save us all from sin and death.  He came to seek and save the lost to restore all that the devil had stolen from man and make right our relationship with God the Father.  This is why we celebrate Christmas and let us never forget that Jesus is the reason for the season.