Good morning and Merry Christmas!
I know we live in a day, and especially this year, the world seems dark, gloomy, and frankly kind of depressing. It has been a tough year and a lot of people are down about. They don’t have to stay there! Let me encourage you not to be down, but rather to look up!
In a world filled with craziness and unrest you can still have rest for your soul and true joy in your heart!
Luk 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
Luk 2:2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
Luk 2:3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
Luk 2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
Luk 2:5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
Luk 2:6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
No doubt this was a time of unrest for Mary and Joseph. The Jews were being taxed by an outside country, Rome. Also in the eyes of others, Mary wasn’t pure because she was with child before marriage. They did not understanding how GOD performed a Miracle! Not to mention, the long, hard trip to Bethlehem while being with child! Yet in the midst of this time, GOD brought Joy!
He brought Joy to Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, and Simeon!
Luk 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luk 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Luk 2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
Luk 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Luk 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Luk 2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Luk 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Luk 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luk 2:15 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 unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
Luk 2:16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
Luk 2:17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
Luk 2:18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
Luk 2:19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
Luk 2:20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
The Shepherds received “The Good News” with wonder! Because they had the realization of Who GOD is and who they were, it put them in wonderment how He would come to them and offer The Gift! They received it eminently!
Because of their realization they went forth and spread The Good News abroad!
Not only that, but the shepherds also worshiped GOD!
Luk 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Luk 2:22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
Luk 2:23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
Luk 2:24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
Luk 2:25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man wasjust and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
Luk 2:26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
Luk 2:27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
Luk 2:28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God,…
In a crazy, dark world that offers no hope, GOD offers - Hope! Peace! Rest! Joy!
Rom 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
Rom 5:13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
Rom 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
Rom 5:15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
Rom 5:16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
Rom 5:17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
Rom 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
Rom 5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
Rom 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
Rom 5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
We don’t get true peace, joy, or rest by doing what is right. Sure it will give you temporary satisfaction, but at the end of the day there will still be a void inside of your heart. Friend, every single person is born with a sin nature since the fall of mankind. GOD is Holy, Holy, Holy! He is Pure! We are not! No matter how much good we do in life we will always fall short of His glory! Yet He offers us a Gift! A Gift of Eternal Life! This Gift isn’t won or bought by good living or deeds, for what gift is? We couldn’t pay the price for this Gift even if we tried! We would fall short of It every time, but GOD prepared a Way! This is for anyone who will put their faith and trust in Him to wash away their sins! This will fill that void, give that true peace, joy, and rest!
I met a man the other day that didn’t take a Gospel tract that I had offered him. He thought he couldn’t go to Heaven because of his life. If that is you friend, remember Jesus died for sinners! He died for you! No matter what you’ve done in your life, He has died for you! He wants to save you to bring Honour and Glory to His Father, and because He loves you!
Joh 3:16 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.
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
He wants to forgive you of your sins! He wants to cleanse you from all unrighteousness and to give you that peace that passeth all understanding! He wants to give you that Joy that resides within, even in the darkest of trials.
Will you receive His Gift today? Will you ask Him and put your Faith in Him to wash your sins away with His precious pure Blood?
If you have any questions please contact us!
We hope you have a blessed Friday!
Merry Christmas and may GOD bless!
- Joshua Danford