We are in the most beautiful season of the year, the season in which we celebrate the birth of our King, Lord, and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Known among the people as Christmas.
A celebration so great that it transforms the atmosphere in every home and every family.
Homes are decorated because Christmas is on the way.
People buy new clothes because Christmas is on the way.
People travel long distances to spend Christmas with their families.
Extra food is purchased, because Christmas is on the way.
All of this happens because every heart rejoices at the remembrance that our King was born.
Even though many today believe that the date of His birth is not accurate, that does not matter. The evidence of His birth is great, powerful, and supernatural, because what had to happen for Jesus Christ to come into the world is so tremendous that the human mind cannot describe it.
First of all, God chose two people—humble, filled with love, obedience, and maturity—to carry out the assignment He gave them.
Mary accepted what the angel told her, and Joseph, although he learned that Mary was pregnant while they were still planning to be married and the child was not his, submitted himself to God. After the angel spoke to him in a dream, he accepted the responsibility of becoming the stepfather of the greatest One ever to live.
Both carried a secret that could have cost them their lives, and certainly would have brought great shame. How could they explain in that time that what happened came through the Holy Spirit of God? Even today, people would question it. The press would mock it, media would create caricatures of the things of God. Because even now there are people who do not believe in the supernatural works of God.
While the people of Israel were expecting someone who would free them from the Roman oppression, God sent His Son to save His people from their sins. That is why many did not understand, did not receive Him, and are still waiting until today.
If we read our Bible carefully, the birth of Jesus is announced by God from Genesis 3:15. Then comes the prophecy in Isaiah, more than 700 years before Jesus was born (Isaiah 7:14). After that, Micah 5:2 confirms that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. And we see it all written in Matthew 1:20–24.
It is a great celebration for the entire world that believes in Jesus Christ and recognizes who He is for all of us.
The visit of Mary to Elizabeth is another great confirmation from God that Mary was pregnant. She could not visit a doctor, because if anyone discovered she was pregnant before marriage, a great problem would arise. But through the Holy Spirit of God, it was revealed to Elizabeth that Mary was pregnant and that the mother of her Lord came to visit her.
Let us also not forget the song Mary sang in Luke 1:46–56.
May this season be a time of joy, peace, and calm, together with our families.
Let us celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Written by Pastor Marcel Balootje