...That We May Know Him.

Today marks the eve of the most beautiful moment in human history. Tomorrow, over 2000 years ago, Christ was born. Not just born to begin His life, but born to us. On Christmas, Christ was introduced to the human race for the first time. Even though He had always been alive with God, He now becomes alive to us. And alive He always will be. God ordained, in His infinite Sovereignty, the perfect time, the perfect place, and with the perfect people for Christ to come to earth to be our Savior. And I do not have time this morning to cover all of the wonderful, beautiful intricacies of that plan (perhaps someday I will), but perfect it was...is. Prophecies were fulfilled in His coming, hearts were mended, and lives saved from the chains that bound them. Simply and profoundly because a baby was born in a manger all those years ago. A baby. Christ. God who put on flesh and dwelt among us. So that we may know Him. The One and Only True and Living God. For that, I am overwhelmingly grateful today.




Isaiah 9:6-7 "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this."

Luke 2:1-20 "In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, 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 to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told."