During this time of year, we celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ our Lord, God, and Savior. Churches and homes alike will be decked with The Nativity scenes of the Christ Child, Mary, Joseph, Magi, Shepherds or shepherd boy, angels, and animals. While I whole heartily agree it is worth celebrating Christ's Birthday, and to remember that God became flesh (John 1:14), and came in most humble of ways, as a baby boy (Matthew 1:25-26). It has however dawned upon me, that since it is Christ's Birthday it really should be celebration of what the Birth meant, and why God came as child into the world. The Ultimate Goal was that He died as man, a grown adult at 33yrs of age on a Roman cross for sins of the whole world, and to rose from dead on the third day. It then stands to reason that since purpose was reconciliation, that Christ Jesus reconciled us to the Father, Himself, and Holy Spirit, One God in Three Persons, Blessed Trinity, that the Birth is only the beginning and it is quite beneficial to not only put up a Nativity, but the Cross, even Crucifix. For Christ's goal was achieved, two thousand and seventeen years ago (2017yrs) Jesus accomplished everything to save us from sin, hell, and eternal woe; and gives us in exchange salvation, heaven, and eternal life by believing in Him as LORD, Christ, Son of God, and God.
The Nativity is one part of celebrating Jesus' Birthday. Just as when we celebrate the life of a person on their birthday, we do not only fixate on actual day of birth, as a babe, but incorporate other facets of their life; so I think it is acceptable to do with Alpha and Omega. Ways to do this is create a Christmas Tree where at base is the Nativity, in middle of Tree of the prominent moments in Jesus' First Coming, and at top place a cross. The Manger to the Cross, and if you want add a symbol of the throne, of Christ's Second Coming and Return if you want. There isn't a strict rule set for how to celebrate Christmas, we can venture beyond Nativity, or spend most of our time enjoying the delightful memory that God became a man, a baby, and boy child; being humble, and coming in a way not to frighten us; but how all men come into this world. For our Lord Jesus Christ has to experience being a baby and unable to talk, and being child so he can intercede even now for babies and children (Hebrews 4:14-17, Hebrews 2:18, Hebrews 7:25, Romans 8:34). I imagine our Lord Jesus weeps at the abortions, that so many innocent lives are sacrificed to modern Moloch, and Jesus can feel their cries. While it is a pleasure to dwell in memory of Christ's Birth, we mustn't like Ricky Bobby ignore that Jesus is an adult, and Alpha and Omega, sitting at Right Hand of Father, and He bears wounds of the cross, and is ushering in the lost until He comes on clouds to end the doomsday clock and judge the quick and dead.
We serve and love a God of love (1 John 4:8), and He so loved us He died for our sins (Romans 5:6-11). He is not a harsh taskmaster or overbearing boss, He is loving God who gave even His life to secure us eternal life, so that He can be with us forever (1 Thessalonians 4:17). God who is Jesus Christ, is so in love with His creation, us, that He gave His own life. He isn't angry and bitter, but with wide open arms offered to us. He is a Tender Father, a Comforting Spirit, and Gentle Son; though One God in Three. He aches for us, He fights for us, and died for us. His love stretches beyond the solar system and deepest sea (Ephesians 3:18). Christ came as babe, was slain as man, rose again from grave as man, and is coming on clouds of glory as the Son of Man (Matthew 24:29-34). Nativity to Nailed on the cross to a New Jerusalem, Christ life is evermore; For he is Life (John 14:6) and gives life to all things (John 1:3, Colossians 1:16, John 1:4-7). So put up a Nativity, but also a cross, for we are called daily and as often as gather together to remember Christ's death until He Returns (1 Corinthians 11:26). For Christ's Death made propitiation for our sin, and His Resurrection destroyed death's power, may we be conformed into Christ's death and have power of His resurrection (Philippians 3:10).. Amen.
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