How Great is our God! How Great is our God! Merry Christmas! From S.Africa to the Big wide world, “A very Merry Christmas and a wonderful new year”. When we start hearing songs about Christmas it reminds us once again it will be Christmas and time to celebrate Jesus birthday once again! “Hark the herald angels sing Glory to the new born King”! We believe the Bethlehem star is shining so bright, “Oh star of wonder OH star of night, lead us to the perfect Light” while shepherds watched their flocks at night. “Away in a manager no crib for his head the little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head.”It’ll soon be Christmas! A time for giving and receiving. Many people ask this very important question, “What is Christmas all about anyway? Christmas is truly a time for Celebrations. It’s a time to remember traditions and customs. Christmas is a happy time to remember a baby’s birth over 2,000 years and to remember this baby was born in a lowly stable. Christmas is also a time to get to know and love people and about a baby all wrapped up in a package called LOVE. Jesus came as a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, who was born in a far away manager, born of a virgin named Mary and an earthly dad named Joseph
Math 2v2 tells us, “Where is He that is born a King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east and we have come to worship Him. When kings and princes bow to the new born king ,” Is 9v6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the Government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace”.
The Christmas story is hope for everyone who is struggling or has ever struggled to make it. Make no mistake Jesus beginnings were humble but His Awesome birth still remains the greatest miracle of all times. An angel announced the wonderful news: “ the Messiah has been born, He is a Savoir for all the people, the Lord, and this is cause for great joy.”
Jesus birth is the Most Awesome miracle of all times!
Luke 1,26-31-35 “And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto 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 to her, and said, “Hail, thou art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women”. And when she saw him, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. Then the angel said unto her, “fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a Son, and shalt call His name Jesus.” And the angel answered , “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that the holy child which shall be born WILL be called the Son of God”.
Take a moment with me and let’s consider Mary! Do you really understand what it took for Mary to have this baby boy. Mary knowing from revelation and the angelic visitation that her baby boy would be born the Son of God. Not on your life did Mary ever imagine the full implications of her being highly esteemed in God’s eyes.
Mary knew she would be completely put down by everyone. Why? She was not married and women were considered terrible and immoral if they were found to be with child. She knew she would be an outcast when pregnancy occurs and with no husband. Secondly, Joseph would have to completely understand that she had done nothing wrong but that she was a chosen woman to have the Son of God.Matt 1-21-23 God sent a mighty announcing angel to Joseph and this is what the angel said, “She shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for He shall save His 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, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which means, God with us.” The King of Kings wasn’t born in a castle or a palace like other kings He was born in a lowly manager. Luke 2v2 And this shall be a sign unto you: ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Baby Jesus took His first breath inside a barn . A very humble and simple beginning.
God chose these two people Mary and Joseph to be Jesus earthly parents. 2 things that was inside of them which would make this all come to pass.
1. Unconditional love for God
2. Complete faith in God and whatever He asked them to do they would do it.
Emanuel means : God’s with us! So He was with them in Jesus day and He’s with us here now . This is the real miracle of Christmas that God is with us now and forever more.!
God loves you so much He came as a baby . Love overcomes any problems, Love overcomes anything that standing in your way, Love is the best gift and you and I can give it away starting right now..
In Luke 2v8-10 let’s look and see how the supernatural is already happening. “There were shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over the flocks at night and the angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were terrified. This announcing angel told them, “do not be afraid! I bring you good news of great joy . Today in the town of David a Savoir has been born to you: he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manager 10-12.
This angel was only sent to the shepherds not anyone else. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest and earth peace to men on whom His favour rest, v13-14” . Here an army of angels announced peace! The angel announced the good news: the Messiah is born, the Messiah is born, the Messiah is born. He is savoir for all the people.
News always spreads fast when a miracle happens. After the angels had left the shepherds for heaven, the shepherds said , “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing, which the Lord has told us about.” They found Mary and Joseph and the baby who was lying in the manager. Luke 2v15-16. When the shepherds had seen baby Jesus they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said ..so the shepherds became evangelists telling people about the angels, the singing and baby Jesus. Eight days later Mary and Joseph completed the assignment Gabriel had given them. On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, He was named Jesus, the name the angel had given Him before he had been conceived v21, Luke.
Another awesome miracle happened soon after as the Christmas Star appeared to the wise men which led them to Jesus bringing their gifts to lay at His feet. Numbers 24v17 “I shall see Him, but not now; I shall behold Him, but not nigh; there shall come a STAR out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel. Mat 2v2,7-10 “Where is He that is born a King of the Jew? For we have seen His Star in the east and are come to worship Him. Then Harold, when he had called the wise men, enquired of them what time the Star appeared, and he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “go and search for the young child; and when you have found Him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship Him also.”
Then the Wise men left and followed the Star in the east. Not sure of their destination but they believed the Star represented God’s guiding hand. And their faith was rewarded. The Star of Bethlehem was in the sky but only the wise men followed until it came and stood over where the young child was with Mary his mother. Then they fell down and worshiped Him, and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
The wise men understood they were not coming to Bethlehem to Get something; they were coming to Give something. They understood the principle of scripture---YOU NEVER COME BEFORE A KING—EMPTYHANDED. YOU ALWAYS BRING A GIFT. Gold is a gift given to a King saying Jesus would be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Frankincense was used by a priest in worship and that Jesus would be our High Priest. Myrrh was used to anoint the body of the dead. These gifts were used for three purposes, “Jesus would die but would rise again,” “ later Joseph used the Gold to buy their way into Egypt when Herrod was killing all the young baby boys” and “Frankincense meant that Jesus would be our High Priest.” Back then the economic times were just as rough as it is today. God knows just what we all need. He had the wise men bring the child Jesus Gold. Now the wise men didn’t hesitate at all to give Jesus the gold for God economics was clear then as now. God provided a way for the family to leave when Herrod ordered death to all the baby boys. Joseph had gold in hand to help cover all the expenses to travel to Egypt. God gave us the greatest gift of all times and that was Jesus. Jesus lived among us and had the same problems that you and I have. You haven’t a problem that He doesn’t understand. Jesus spent His entire life meeting human needs. Jesus invited people to come to Him, tired people, sad people, bad people, workers, terrorists, cheats, bigots, even killers, good people, all races, all religions. It’s the invitation of all the ages, Just as the Shepherds and Wise men found Jesus over 2,000 years ago today we still can come to Him. God allowed Jesus to die on the cross for our sins and that whosoever shall believe in Him shall not perish but have eternal life, John 3v16., He died on the cross and just before ascending to heaven, the Risen Christ gave this promise, “I am with you always”! Matt 28v20. I want you to ask yourself today have you come before Him to Get something or Give Him your unconditional love? Have we brought a gift to the King of Kings today ? Which is your love or we have come into His presence feeling upset or you are depressed not knowing what’s going to happen to you today or tomorrow , maybe you need to know Him personally today. Make no mistake Jesus was born in a barn and His first breath that he took probably smelled of filth from the barn. The King of Kings didn’t stay in a palace or a castle this was a dirty place for cattle were all around Him. God tells us in this Christmas there is hope for anyone who has ever struggled to make ends meet. Just as God provided for Mary and Joseph what more can He do for you?
Romans 14 v5-6 “Let every man be fully persuaded in His own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord: and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it”. And on the 25th of December we celebrate everywhere and honour Jesus and His birthday.
The custom of giving gifts at Christmas didn’t catch on until 1820 and it started in England. America started gift giving in 1900. Giving gifts started in the 4th century and Christians took this custom and used it as a day to remember Jesus birthday. About 100 years ago it really became popular to give a gift.
Christmas means Christmas Day or even Christmastide. So much has been said about Christmas and the traditions and customs about the greatest blessings of all times.
Last Christmas season we spoke about the Christmas tree. Notice the tree is Green .Green is the 2nd colour of Christmas. The Evergreen tree never loses colour it always stays the same summer, winter, fall, and spring. The colour of Green represents life and the hope of eternal life in Jesus. Notice the evergreen leaves point up to heaven which reminds us that man looks up to God. 1 corn 16v33,”Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the Lord”. The tree symbolizes length of days and life eternal.
December 1540 the famous Protestant Martin Luther in Germany cut down a fir tree taking it into his home. He told his family that evergreen reminded him that life continued even when there is hardship of winter. Luther attached several small candles on the tree symbolizing the light of Jesus. John 1v9 “that was the true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world”.
Candles also represent how people show their thanks for God’s gift. Let your light shine before people. Hundreds of bright shining lights on trees represent one of God’s precious children shining for all to see. In some countries in Europe 3 candles are placed at the top of the Christmas tree which represents the Trinity, God the Father, Jesus Christ the son, and the Holy Spirit, 3 in one!
In Europe the Christmas Evergreen was decorated with cookies and candy. This was thanking God for providing our daily bread.
The Wise Men followed the star of Bethlehem to Jesus. “Where is He that is born a King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and are come to worship Him”. Many take the star and place it on their Christmas tree or somewhere in their houses. This star represents God’s guiding hand to Jesus. . Jesus is the bright and morning star.
REMEMBER THE NATIVITY SETS THAT WE SEE EVERYWHERE! THEY REMIND US THAT GOD CAME TO EARTH WITH ANGELS PROCLAIMING HIS COMING, “PEACE ON EARTH GOOD WILL TOWARDS ALL MEN”.
As Green is the 2nd colour of Christmas Red is the first colour of Christmas. It’s the colour of life giving Blood that flows through our veins. This is God’s greatest gift. We must know that Jesus gave His life and shed His blood for all people that we might have eternal life. Red represents His blood which was shed for your healing and deliverance.
“And she brought forth her first son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manager; because there was no room for them in the inn.”
This beautiful wreath is round which means a circle without beginning and without end. The Red on the wreath reminds us of God’s love to us, the Green reminds us about all the good things about Christmas. This wreath is round and it reminds us of the crown of thorns that Jesus carried upon His head, for it was at this time that the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, Is 53v5.
Every Christmas since I have remembered I am reminded about the beautiful silver bells. Just as lost sheep are guided to safety by the sound of the bell. As today it still rings for all to be guided to the fold. We should follow the true shepherd who gave His life for the sheep.
This candy cane is red and white. The candy cane is a stick of hard white candy. White represents the virgin birth and sinless nature of Jesus. The hardness of the cane symbolizes the Solid Rock which is the foundation of the church and God’s promises. The cane also represents the shepherd’s staff which symbolized the humbled shepherds in the fields near Bethelem who were first to received the marvellous news that Jesus was born. It also represents the precious name of Jesus. The original candy cane had 3 small red stripes which are the red stripes that Jesus received on the cross by which we are healed from diseases.
What would we do without Santa Claus? Santa Claus is only a symbol. Many think of Santa as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Kris Kringle, and Father Frost. The original Santa Claus was Bishop Nicholas in the 4th century and was known to give help to the needy but without anyone knowing where the help came from. He helped two little girls who were very much in need. Secretly he climbed up on their roof and dropped a purse of money down their chimney. The little girls had hung out their stockings and the purse with all the money fell into one of them.
He was Saint Nickolas and Santa Claus. Santa represents the Spirit of the family, fun, and the joy of giving and receiving
but with all these traditions and customs which is all about Christmas it’s really important to put all the emphasis on where it belongs. It’s not about Santa Claus or Saint Nicholas but Christmas is all about Jesus
Christ! No one ever gave a more proper gift to the world than when God stepped down from His throne and became one of us. We must recognize that God is both the Giver and the Gift. And the best gift of all times is Jesus!Many of you who have read this message is saying I want this gift of love also I want to give my heart to Jesus now. If that is you I want you just to repeat this after me. Say this now, “Father God I thank you for giving me this wonderful gift too, Lord forgive me of my sins, I repent of them now, Lord come into my life, come into my heart, and from this moment on I will live for you. Thank you God for saving me now.” Now you are a child of God and you have received the greatest gift of all times, Jesus Christ!
If you have prayed this prayer contacts us at info@windofthespiritministries and share with us the wonderful news. We will celebrate with you and pray for you.
Blessings to you this Christmas season.
Dr. Barbara Jennison for Wind of the Spirit Ministries International, Uitenhage, S.Africa