Posted on December 25, 2023 by Elizabeth Welte in Victory Call
“The very purpose of Christ’s coming into the world was that He might offer up His life as a sacrifice for the sins of men. He came to die. This is the heart of Christmas.” – Rev. Billy Graham
Yesterday, I talked about Christmas traditions and the preceding events leading up to Jesus’ birth. Today is Christmas Day – when the magic happens! When children, parents, & family gather around the tree to open gifts they were wishing for. But some may not have that luxury. Some may be on the streets, some too poor to buy presents or a tree, some too low-income to just barely figure out how to put food on the table. Mary & Joseph didn’t have that luxury…
Fast forward to where Mary was just about ready to pop and was ready to give birth to Jesus, when Caesar Augustus decided to register everyone from their hometown. Now that’s the hometown of the man of the house, which in this case was Joseph. Mary & Joseph lived in Nazareth and had to travel to Bethlehem. [1] Can you imagine traveling approximately 90 MILES on the back of a donkey or horse 9 months pregnant? Me either…
When they got there, there was no place to stay. Nine months pregnant traipsing around looking for somewhere to sleep; Joseph begging anyone to spare them room for Mary. But there was nowhere. The town was packed full. Until someone offered up their stable/barn. Could you imagine giving birth to a baby in a stinky, poopy, germ-filled barn? Me either… But it happened! Think about if Mary had to give birth in front of an inn full of people? Nope, not me. Bright side is that at least the barn was semi-private, minus the animals. (Lol)
When Jesus entered this world, a sky-full of angels showed up to some shepherds in a nearby field watching their flock. Ok, picture this: it’s pitch black minus the little bit of light given off by the fire or torches they may have had, and then all of the sudden, BAM! ANGELS! And they spoke to them saying, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!’” [2] Now pay attention to the underlined part: “And this will be a sign for you…” This meant that the shepherds knew what to look for! Back then, before Jesus’ death later in life, they had to sacrifice a spotless lamb as an offering to Jesus as a way for them to commune with Him. And when a lamb was born, they’d wrap it in swaddling cloths and lay it in, what they called a manger, to protect it from getting blemished and hurt by the adult sheep. So they knew EXACTLY what that angel meant! AMAZING! After the shepherds got there, they worshiped Him. Can you picture knowing what that must have felt like?
Focus on the shepherds. Lowly, humble, bottom of the “popular food chain” people. They weren’t royalty. Heck! Mary & Joseph weren’t royalty. God doesn’t call the scribes or teachers of those days, some of the most upheld officials, to come see Jesus. He called shepherds, nobodies. God doesn’t call the equipped. He equips the called. Read that again.
It’s what He chooses to do with you and me. In no way are we worthy to be chosen by God. We are not equipped to do His work. He equips us. Those who have accepted the gift He gave when He died on the cross for us. When He gave Himself as a sacrifice to pay for your sins and mine. He did this of His own free will so that when we die, we don’t have to spend eternity in Hell. In this way God is selfish, He wants us all to Himself. But He also gave us free will so that we could choose to accept Him. A very wise man by the name of Dr. Bill Welte puts it this way: “It’s as easy as A, B, C. Accept that Jesus died for you. Believe you are a sinner. And Confess that Jesus is Lord of your life.”
If you wish to do this and become part of Jesus’ family, call Keswick at (800) 453-7942! We’d be happy to talk with you!
Written by Elizabeth Welte: Elizabeth is currently serving as Keswick’s Marketing Director. She is married to Dr. Bill Welte’s son Zach, who serves in Keswick’s AV Department. She is an advanced violinist; playing for 20+ years. She also rides & jumps horses in her spare time.
Think About This: “God has called us, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to live wisely and be women of purpose who live our lives for our Jesus and love those He has put in our lives well.” ― Deb Weakly
The Daily Bible Reading: 1 John 1-4. You can download our 2024 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here.
This Week’s Verse to Memorize: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23
Consider a retreat at America’s Keswick retreat center.
