"Do not think that I have come to abolish
the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill
them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the
smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear
from the Law until everything is accomplished." (Matthew 5:17-18 NIV)
During His time on earth the use and facts of
Scripture were the basis of Jesus' ministry. Whatever He did or said lined
up with the word of God. It did not matter what situation He found Himself
to be in, where it was, before thousands of people, His encounter with the
devil, or speaking to His disciples the facts of Scripture were His
foundation.
Likewise as Christmas approaches I want the facts
of Scripture to be my foundation for the celebration. So often I have
discovered during this festive season that I can easily be enticed into
becoming so wrapped up in the feelings and modern day glitz of Christmas
that the party becomes more important than the person whose birthday we are
celebrating.
"So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth
in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David…and while they were
there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her
firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in strips of cloth and placed him in a
manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." (Luke 2:4a,6,7 NIV)
Before I read this scriptural passage in its
entirety during our annual Carol Service, I had prayed that I would be able
to read it with meaning that hearts would be touched. And God heard my
prayer and answered. For as I stood and read these facts concerning the
birth of Jesus, I was so moved by the love of God through the giving to
mankind the gift of His Son, and the humble circumstances of His birth, that
I was unable to read the last verse without tears.
Jesus, the very Son of God, chose to come to earth
to be the Saviour of mankind. And He chose to come as a poor and lowly
child, not as the King He is, that He might experience life as a human being
with all its temptations and trials, joys and laughter that He might
identify with us and us with Him. How marvelous, how wonderful is such a
fact. And this is the One, whose birthday we are meant to celebrate at
Christmas.
So this Christmas season may we all be praying
that our eyes and our hearts might be focused, not upon the festivities, the
party, but first and foremost on the facts of Scripture which points us to
the Truth of God: Jesus, Immanuel, Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, the Word, Himself.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for this wonderful
celebration of Christmas. A time to celebrate the facts of Scripture that
outline the truth concerning the Saviour of mankind: Jesus, Mighty God, the
Word, Himself. May our focus be upon Him, the reason for the celebration. In
Christ's name we pray. Amen.
Lynne
Phepps
Atlin, B.C.