"Celebrate Jesus Celebrate"

December 22, 2004

Today is Jesus birthday and I want to celebrate. Will you join me as I think of the story where the shepherds are told of the Good News?

In Luke 2:8-11

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone around about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior which is Christ the Lord.

Imagine today: you are outside caring for your animals and all of a sudden a bright light surrounds you and an angel talks and tells you something straight from the heart of God? Imagine... What would be your reaction?

Now the question is for today: Do you know God's Word enough to recognize when the truth is being proclaimed in the pulpit? Are you prayed up in your life to know when God is speaking directly to you? Do you run from the truth or believe exactly what God says?

We too today are given the Message for our daily lives and that is the reason we can celebrate Jesus is Born.

As the scripture continues: "And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even to Bethlehem, and this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us."

Do you give God glory for sending Jesus down to save you? When was the last time you raised up your praises to him for the Nativity? Do you revisit the Nativity? Now as you apply today: Do you receive God's Word and then apply it right then or do you procrastinate or even say no? The shepherds immediatly left the fields to go see this wonderful Gift God had sent. The Word of God is your Gift to open, study, and apply. Give God glory for his Word becoming flesh.

"And they came with haste and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered of these things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them."

I am so joyful right now as I read the Nativity and can truly praise God for this wonderful reason to Celebrate Jesus Birth. Now that you have heard this wonderful truth what are you going to do? Are you going to run into the Word and peek into the Nativity? Are you going to receive that baby from God name Jesus? Are you going to believe He can restore you life today? Do you run and tell others or do you say, I can't?

How can we glorify God and share the Good News if we don't speak forth what God has done in our lives?

Please share this wonderful blessing sent down to us from heaven. Time is growing short in this life on earth. Jesus is the reason we celebrate. There is no other joy that fulfills the human need than Jesus Christ the Newborn King.

Celebrate Jesus, Celebrate His Birth, Celebrate His Nativity, Celebrate he is Peace, Celebrate he is Good Will towards all men, and Celebrate He Is With Us.

Lord God, there is no other name but Jesus and I give you all glory for this precious life who took on our humanity so we could be set free. I glorify you for Jesus Birth, I glorify you for His Death, and I glorify you for His resurrection. But most of all I glorify you for His Salvation so rich and free.