“What we do see is Jesus, who was given a position ‘a little lower than the angels’; and because he suffered death for us, he is now ‘crowned with glory and honor.’ Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone.” Hebrews 2:9 NLT
There is much in the pages of scripture that is hard to understand, confusing, and at times seem contradictory. For instance, Hebrews 1:6 says, “And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, ‘Let all God’s angels worship him.’” (NIV) In the very next chapter the writer of Hebrews says, “What we do see is Jesus, who was given a position ‘a little lower than the angels’” (2:9a NLT) One who is placed in a position lower than angels certainly would not be worshiped by them, it doesn’t make sense, or does it?
It makes perfect sense if we remember why Jesus came to earth in the first place. He was born to die. Born to die by crucifixion on a cross for sinners. The apostle John writes, “This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.” (1 Jn. 4:10 NLT) And Paul writes in Romans chapter 6, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (6:23 NLT)
There was a need for a perfect sacrifice for sin which none of us fit that criteria. Jesus, the Son of God, lowered His position to identify with us becoming human, (God-man). But he in no way gave up His Deity, “So the Word became human and made his home among us.” (Jn. 1:14a NLT) Jesus being obedient to the Father’s plan for salvation came to this earth born of a virgin for your sin and mine as we accept Him as our Savior. The writer of Hebrews then tells us the rest of the story, “…..and because he suffered death for us, he is now ‘crowned with glory and honor.’ Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone.” (2:9b NLT) Jesus is now crowned with glory and honor for His sacrificial death for our sins. And yes, the angels continue to worship Him.
“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past.” Micah 5:2 NLT
Many small towns across the United States are just that, sleepy little villages of no significance except for those who call it home. Every once in a while a small town becomes noticeably significant due to the birthplace of a noteworthy individual. The last half of 20th century saw most U.S. presidents born and reared in small towns. Dwight Eisenhower was born in Abilene, Kansas, President Bill Clinton-Hope, Arkansas, and Jimmy Carter born in Plains, Georgia has lived there to this day. Lima, Ohio is the birthplace of NFL great Ben Roethisberger. The entertainment industry has several celebrities from small towns, Oprah Winfrey is from the small town of Kosciusko, Mississippi, and musical artist Taylor Swift was born and grew up in a small township in the area I now reside, Reading, Pennsylvania, not to mention the world’s most famous groundhog Phil from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
These small towns all have one thing in common, they will all be forever remembered as the birthplace of that famous person until someone more famous comes along. What they also have in common is there was no advance notice that a United States president, a NFL player, or a major celebrity would be born in their town. Most people would not know what would become of these small town heroes in their younger years. There may have been glimpses of increasing intellect, wisdom, and talent paving the way throughout their lives, but nothing pre-determined that a well renowned person was among them. History records for us in the Bible a previous announcement that was made to a small town in Judah. It was pre-determined that one would be born in that town who will be a ruler of Israel. That small town is the little town of Bethlehem.
Bethlehem, known as the city of David and the house of bread, is located about five miles southwest of Jerusalem. It is also called Ephrathah, Ephrath, and Bethelhem-judah. It is the burial place of Rachel, Jacob’s wife. (Gen. 35:16-19) It is also the city of Boaz who married Ruth, the Moabitess, King David’s great-great grandmother. (Ruth 4:13-22) Jesse, the father of King David and grandson of Boaz and Ruth dwelt in Bethlehem, and Jesse’s son David along with his brothers were also born in Bethlehem, therefore ‘city of David.’ The little town of Bethlehem had a mighty king growing right up in from of them and didn’t know it. There were a few signs developing in his teen years as a well trusted shepherd protecting his father’s sheep from harmful predators. His striking down and killing the Philistines’ giant battle warrior Goliath made him a household name with immediate attention. David, as scripture reminds us, was anointed to be king replacing Saul who had rejected the word of the Lord. David’s actions and his trust in God were beginning to be noticed in his home town and around Israel.
At times we may feel small and insignificant in a world of bigger than life influential figures all around us. But God uses all of us just the same for His purposes. Your little influence towards those in your community, whether small or large, if in the Lord’s will can mushroom into something great for God. We start small with one person at a time in our little town of influence.
King David went on to be Israel’s greatest king in that David was a man after God’s own heart. God promised David that he his throne would be established forever. (2 Sam. 7:12-16) One will sit on his throne and rule into the everlasting kingdom. (Is. 9:7) King David was the most famous and influential person to be born in the little town of Bethlehem for centuries-but someone more famous and greater came along. The prophet Micah prophesied, “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past.” (Micah 5:2 NLT)
The abortion issue has been drawn front and center once again in the United States since the U. S, Supreme Court decision in June, 2022 that overturned the Roe v. Wade decision of 1973 legalizing abortion in the Untied States. The decision did not outlaw abortion, but sent the matter down to each individual state to decide the issue. Many states have already taken action on both fronts, for and against. The 2024 election is bound to heat up with organizations supporting the campaigns of their choice. Pro-life and Pro-choice with the feminist slogan leading the chant of the My Body, My Choice movement.
The opening chapters of the New Testament gospel of Luke details with accuracy the birth of Jesus Christ. The gospel writer chronicles the sequence of events from the announcement of John the Baptist’s birth, Jesus’s cousin, to the announcement of Jesus’s birth leading up to the birth of both John and the birth of Christ. Holy Scripture details the miraculous power of God in the conception of both John the Baptist and Jesus. Elizabeth, John’s mother, was well advanced in years, and Mary was still a virgin. The angel Gabriel in the announcement to Mary concluded by saying, “For nothing will be impossible with God.” (Lk. 1:37)
Elizabeth and her younger cousin Mary were both, as is often said, ‘with child.’ The detailed evidence cannot be denied as when the two of them met shortly after Mary’s conception. Elizabeth was six months along when Mary received the announcement that she would have a baby. Mary immediately went to visit her cousin on receiving the news concerning both of them. Scripture records for us the greeting with detail and accuracy, “In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb.” (Lk. 1:39-41b)
The evidence is in according to the Word of God. Elizabeth and Mary were both carrying life in their wombs, life that was recognized. It is life by the giver and creator of life, God Himself. John the Baptist went on to be the forerunner of Jesus, the Messiah. Jesus came into this world to save mankind from their sins assuring them of eternal life through faith in Him. The Bible is very detailed and accurate about God’s plan for salvation and nothing can alter His plan. But what if Elizabeth and Mary had said, ‘My body, my choice’ and chose not to have their babies? Obviously it did not happen, nor could it have happened. But just saying, ‘What If’?
“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:1-3 NASB
Jesus’s love for us is such that He wants us to be with Him throughout all eternity. He has been preparing a place for us for two thousand years. His love for us is such that He left His heavenly place in order to make it possible for us to be in that place with Him. Sound confusing? It’s not really! Jesus, God the Son, left heaven’s throne coming down to earth to redeem those who will put their trust in Him for Salvation. Let’s just say the necessary arrangements needed to be made for us to enter eternity with the Lord Jesus.
The incarnation of Christ is part of God’s plan of Salvation for mankind. We are all in a lost state, sinners from birth, and cannot stand or live in the presence of God. Our society today tells us that God is a God of love and He would not condemn anyone. It is true God is a God of love, but He is also a Holy God who cannot accept sin. Sin against a Holy God must be dealt with and there is nothing we can do to make it right. Isaiah 64:6 says, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” (NKJV) As much as we try and as careful as we are to live a clean life doing what is right, the Bible says that our very best is as ‘filthy rags.’
So where is our hope this Christmas? Our hope is in Jesus, the Christ child, who lived a perfect life, and laid down that perfect life for us to accept Him for Salvation. We can then stand before God in Christ’s righteousness and live in eternity in the place He has been preparing for you and me these past two thousand years.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 ESV
The familiar sounds of the Christmas season are many. From the Christmas music, to the holiday greetings, to the sounds of traffic in the streets, to children’s eager anticipation of coming the event on the 24th of December; the sounds of the season constantly remind us that Christmas Day is approaching.
Among these sounds are the bells of the Salvation Army Bell Ringers. A tradition that started in 1891 in the city of San Francisco, California. Stationed in shopping malls and other retail outlets as well as on street corners, the bell ringers remind people of the need of others during the Christmas season. The sound of the bell is to draw our attention away from ourselves and our task at hand and reflect on those unfortunate in our neighborhoods and around the world.
The physical and material needs of the countless people in our midst cannot be denied. Christians (the church) should be at the forefront of meeting this need. As the church rings the bell of awareness and participates in meeting the material needs of the downtrodden among us, it also has the responsibility to be a bell ringer for the eternal Salvation of others. Jesus said, speaking of Himself, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Lk. 19:10 ESV) The spiritual need is great and it needs to be met.
Our Lord instructs us to be witnesses, Bell Ringers, for Him. This Christmas season as you hear the bell ring and drop money into that Red Kettle, pick up your spiritual bell and ring it for all the world to hear the need of Salvation and spread the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
“So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.” Hebrews 2:1 NLT
The closer we get to Christmas Day listening to Christmas music increases for most people. I say most people for there are many who have had their fill over the years to last the rest of their lives. For those who indulge right after Thanksgiving or wait until the Christmas spirit hits you on the 24th of December, listen very carefully to the truth you hear in the old familiar carols and contemporary music pertaining to the birth of Christ. For soon the music will be put on the shelf for another year, but the truth does remain.
The writer of the book of Hebrews penned these words, “So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.” (2:1 NLT) He is not referring to Christmas music per se, but to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ which is embedded in many Christmas carols. In particular, the writer is continuing his exhortation on the superiority of Jesus over the angels and confirming His deity. The child born that first Christmas is Jesus, the second person of the trinity, sent to earth for our redemption. He is fully God and fully man, our Savior.
As Christmas music comes into your hearing this season listen very carefully to the lyrics being sung not letting them go over your head as an old familiar tune, but let them sink in. Every opportunity you get this year to attend a Christmas play, a musical, a concert, a ‘spectacular of lights display’, or a special church service let the truth of God’s Word be absorbed into your heart and mind. Don’t allow the truth of the gospel drift away from you as the season drifts away with the music.
“For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” Luke 19:10 NLT
This time of year we are accustomed to seeing various presentations of the advent calendar. The counting down of days to Christmas day has been a tradition for many years. We have designer calendars for our special interests or hobbies. We have chocolate candy calendars for chocolate lovers of all ages. We have cheese calendars for those who have a hankering for cheese, and we even have whiskey calendars, which I am not recommending, just making a point.
And the point is; what are you counting down to? What is at the end of your advent calendar? Jesus states clearly that the day each of us is counting down to in our own way is the day He came to earth, whether you believe it or not. He came into this world “to seek and save those who are lost.” This includes all of us who are counting down to that one day of excitement. He came to give us more than peace on earth one night a year, but to give us an inner peace of knowing Him in this life. He came to give us more than an enjoyable day with friends and family on Christmas, but to give us everlasting enjoyment with Him in eternity through the Salvation He offers through His death, burial, and resurrection. So what are you counting down to? Here’s a little hint-you don’t need to wait until December 25th to enjoy the Savior of Christmas!
“And when he brought his supreme Son into the world, God said, ‘Let all of God’s angels worship him.’” Hebrews 1:6 NLT
“Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.’” Luke 2:13-14 NLT
Have you ever thought of the significance of the angels announcing Christ’s birth and preceding to worship Him in highest praise? We read the familiar story of the shepherds being the first to hear the news and quite spectacularly in the gospel of Luke. (Lk. 2) Angels are God’s ministering spirits to serve Him and on this particular night they were sent out to shout the good news of the Messiah’s birth. God’s created spirit beings, the angels, worshiped the Christ child because He was God the Son, the second person of the trinity. Hebrews 1:6 says, “And when he brought his supreme Son into the world, God said, ‘Let all of God’s angels worship him.’” (NLT) And they did.
This is of vital importance especially in our day as there are many who consider Jesus to be no more than an angel of higher rank. Others perceive Him to be a prophet, and still others believe He was just a man sent by God for good works and to act as a model on how we are to live our lives. Today’s world is filled with false religions that support these claims and sadly there are many (so called) Christian churches among them.
To understand Jesus’ deity, that He is truly the God-man, is everything. Our very salvation depends on a perfect, sinless, and blameless substitute sacrificed for the remission of sins. That substitute could only be Jesus Christ, the Son of God-the Messiah, whom the angels worshiped. Do you know Jesus as truly the Son of God and have you accepted Him as your Savior? Make this Christmas season be the year you accept Christ for even the ‘Angels Worship Him.’
Christians have a great opportunity to share their faith every December. Just take a look around, there are not many people who are not affected by the Christmas season in some way. It could be the busyness of the season from the shopping, decorating your home, or preparing that special meal, not to mention exhaustion from participating in many activities and the anxiety that goes along with it. It could also be the lonely, distressed, and sad emotions the season brings. Yes, there is “a wide door” that is opened to share the love and peace of Christ and why He came-the true meaning of Christmas.
We cannot escape the sights and sounds of Christmas from the festive lights and trees to the constant flow of Christmas music, to the cable networks and streaming services providing Christmas movies 24/7 repeating the same feature over and over again.
The bottom line is; what an opportunity we have as Christians to engage our culture with the true meaning of Christmas. Not that there is anything wrong with Christmas trees, lights, continuous music or movies, there is not. And what about gifts, nothing wrong with gift giving either. We give gifts at Christmas following God’s example of giving. He gave us the greatest gift of all, His Son Jesus Christ. This Christmas may we all share our faith in Christ by “keeping the Main Thing, the Main Thing”, the Reason for the Season.
Word for the Soul 