It has been said that Christmas comes only once a year. But I see it differently. I see Christmas in every day. I know that some of my friends will beg to differ with me and others will ask me to explain. So, I will explain.
First, what is Christmas all about? Is it not the birth of Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah of Israel? Is it not the celebration of the Christ that God sent to us so we could be saved and blessed by him?
Just so you are aware, the Messiah is a Hebrew word that means “Anointed One” It is an Old Testament expression. The Christ is a Greek word that means “Anointed One” It is a New Testament expression.
The Messiah and the Christ both refer to the same person. The man, Jesus, of Nazareth, fulfilled all the prophesies concerning this “Anointed One” that was to come sometime in the future. A more detailed explanation can be found in my on-line Reading Room. Look for “Discovering The Jewish Messiah”
Every December, Christians celebrate the birth and ministry of Jesus while the rest of the world follows the holiday season, unaware of the greatest event in human history.
The story of Jesus is the story of God’s love and his redemption of mankind. The Bible says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
The apostle, John, who penned the words of Jesus, went on to write what Jesus said, “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.He that believes on him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that does evil hates the light, neither comes to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.But he that does truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” John 3:17-21
Think about it. God’s perfect love was focused directly on the people of earth. Most importantly, in his actions to send his only begotten Son, who was with him from the beginning. Why would he do that? I believe it was because no other could redeem us or be our Savior.
Let us look at John chapter one. It is a real revelation.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.The same was in the beginning with God.All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.And the light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.That was the true Light, which lights every man that comes into the world.
He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John bear witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spoke. He that comes after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”
Check it out:
- The Word is a reference to Jesus.
- He was pre-existent, living with God the Father before anything was…(In the beginning.)
- He made all things. He is our Creator.
- He was made flesh and dwelt among us…He became Emanuel, God with us.
- He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
- He was the Light of men, shining into darkness but not understood.
- He came for those who would believe so he could empower them to be the Sons of God.
Where is the hidden truth that reveals God’s plan for the ages and man’s ultimate destiny? Here it is. “Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
The hidden mystery is in the re-birth of man. It cannot happen through natural birth (Blood). It will not happen by the deeds of the flesh (Galatians 5:22) It cannot happen by the determined will of man as in church membership, trusting in the Law of Moses or a set of rules and regulations by a religion.
The mystery is that the same virgin birth that Mary experienced happens to all who believe. They, too, are born of God. Let me explain.
The Bible says that the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary, and the life of Christ was planted within her body…she conceived physically. When we believe, the Holy Spirit overshadows us and the life of Christ is planted within our being…we conceive spiritually.
It took an act of God to bring his only begotten Son into human form. It also takes an act of God to bring the life of Christ into our souls. The Bible calls this being “Born Again”
Now, what does all of this have to do with “Christmas Every Day?” Come, let us reason together.
Christmas is a celebration of the life of Christ. When we become a “Born Again” Christian, we celebrate the life of Christ being in us through the Holy Spirit who brought us into spiritual being. We give thanks to the Father every day and rejoice that Jesus said he would never leave us. We celebrate him in worship and singing every day. He is our life and destiny. For the “Born Again” Christian, Christmas (The celebration of Jesus’ birth) lives on in us every day.
If you have not been “Born Again” you should ask God to send his Holy Spirit to you and overshadow your soul and give you the life of Christ so you can celebrate Christmas every day. Be sure to ask forgiveness for your sins.
I have a book titled “Being Born Again” You can get it at a discount be using this link. It explains thee experience in detail. Here is the link:
Until Next Time
Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year
John Marinelli johnmarinelli@eembarqmail.com