Like you, it's my birthday next year. I will be 48, how old will you be?
Many, I hope like me, don't necessarily think of themselves in terms of age (there is more to you than numbers! Joshua 14:10 -11) but I do know on our birthdays, we will not be expecting those celebrating us to bring baby cards, gifts, or throw us a newborn baby themed party (except as a joke!) or address us in infant terms.
Well, this Christmas, the Lord Jesus would kindly like us to celebrate him in a more appropriate way. In the past, God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. (Acts 17:30)
And yes God knows, as we know, Jesus was technically not born on December 25. Still, he recognises his people’s decision to acknowledge and celebrate his birth as on that day just as our former (Very precious) Queen Elizabeth was celebrated in June for convenience though her actual birth was on 21 April 1926. As he said to his disciples, in Matthew 18:18b,
"... whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven",
Jesus was, as every human has to be, born a baby and we can learn from his birth but he is no longer that.
He was the 'son of man' who, putting aside his glory, trudged the streets of Israel as one of us. We can learn from that but he is no longer that.
He was a man who though oppressed and afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he was brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers was dumb, but no longer!
As Paul said, "Consequently, from now on we estimate and regard no one from a [purely] human point of view [in terms of natural standards of value]. [No] even though we once did estimate Christ from a human viewpoint and as a man, yet now [we have such knowledge of Him that] we know Him no longer [in terms of the flesh]." 2 Corinthians 5:16 AMPC
The scriptures tell us who he is right now:
"They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” Revelation 17:14
He is the reigning King of Kings and Lord of Lords. So this Christmas, let us celebrate him appropriately and with joy knowing that "here is how love has been brought to maturity with us: as the Messiah is, so are we in the world. This gives us confidence for the Day of Judgment." (CJB 1 John 4:17)
"Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." 1 Chronicles 16:29
"For a child is born to us,
a son is given to us;
dominion will rest on his shoulders,
and he will be given the name
Pele-Yo‘etz El Gibbor
Avi-‘Ad Sar-Shalom
[Wonder of a Counselor, Mighty God,
Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace]." Isaiah 9:5(6) CJB
[Other References: Matthew 1, Isaiah 53:7]
P.S
Please if your denomination has chosen to celebrate him on a day different from December 25th, that's also ok as long as you are in agreement and he is honoured appropriately.
Shalom
コメント