THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST PART 5

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST PART 5

 

What is Christmas about? It is the Feast of the birth of the Lord in the flesh which we are now approaching. Let us reflect on events leading to this wonderful event.

Isaiah one of the great Prophets of Israel described the future event of Christmas to the Jewish people seven hundred years prior to the first Christmas with these words: “Behold the virgin shall conceive in her womb and bear a son, and shall call his name Emanuel.” Mentionof this prophesy’s fulfillment is recorded by the Evangelist Matthew wherein the angel addresses Joseph:

“Joseph, fear not to take Mary for your wife; for that which she conceived is of the Holy Spirit. And she shall bring forth a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he shall save people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord, by the prophet, saying, Behold, the virgin will be with child, and shall bring forthson, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God is with us” (Mat. 1:20-23).

 

It is impossible to see and know and glorify the new infant Christ Child without a living faith and devotion. There never was and never will be such a wonderful birth, where the Mother who never knew a man, nurses him delightfully as she feeds Him. What a wondrous paradox! And, He is the One who holds the whole world in his arms, and provides the whole world with nourishment! What a great condescension ! Here we can begin to realize the goodness and great compassion which our God has for all mankind, for whom the entire universe was created.

This is what a lively Christmas is about – the eternal Logos becoming the Godman; the Creator of heaven and earth and all that exists, coming from heaven and taking to himself our human nature and essence, not according to the laws of nature, but by the power of He who is above nature. In His incarnation, He becomes in every way like us except for sin, which is not an original part of our nature. He enters our history and offers His entire kingdom to those who follow Him. He did not enter our society just to do wonders; He came to save us from everlasting punishment, which is due those who reject so great a salvation. He came to feed us with himself and bring us to everlasting life.

The Logos had to become a man to free us who were prisoners. This could only be accomplished by His victory over our arch-enemy, the Devil. The Evil one urges man to sin in every way, to kill, to steal, to lie, to fornicate, to commit adultery, etc. By keeping us prisoners of our sins and passions, he encourages us to add to sins to our sins, insuring that we remain his prisoners. This enemy, who we are unable to defeat, is the one who Christ came into the world to conquer and strip of his power and authority. Christmas is the beginning and our eternal life will be the end.

The events leading up to the nativity in the flesh of the Lord Jesus Christ are uplifting as the brilliant day draws very near. According to the Scripture:
“The Angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her and said, Rejoice, Full of Grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled, and cast in her mind what manner of greeting this should be. And the angel said unto her, Do not be afraid, for you have found grace with God. And behold, you shall conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David; and he shall reign over the house of David for ever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, when I know not a man? And the angel answered her and said: The Holy Spirit shall come upon you; and the power of the Most High shall overshadow you, therefore that holy thing which shall be born of you shall be called the Son of God”   (Luke 1:26-35)

SHEPHERDS BEGIN THEIR JOURNEY

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were extremely 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.

And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly powers praising God, and singing, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth be 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 unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord has made known unto us.

Christmas! This Feast is filled with delight and causes our hearts to warm during the cold winter season! Seeing the shepherds watching their flock at night; and the angels singing “Glory to God in the highest! and in the distance the Magi are approaching following a star, we already begin to see the joy that is soon to come.

 

 

CHRISTMAS PRAISE

Christ is born! Glorify Him!

Christ from the heavens,

Go to meet Him.

Christ is on earth! Be exalted.

Sing unto the Lord.

All the earth, and praise him

With gladness, O people.

For He has been glorified

 

Today the Virgin,
Gives birth to the Transcendent One,
And the earth now offers
A cave to the Unapproachable One,
Angels, with the shepherds,
Glorify Him!
Magi come, after they were
Following a star.
Unto us is born upon this day
A new Child, who is
God before the ages

Your Nativity O Christ our God
Has raised upon the world
the light of knowledge
For by it those who
worshiped the stars
Were being taught by a star,
To adore you,
the sun of justice,
and to know you,
the Sunrise from on high
O Lord Glory to you!