Merry Christmas A subject of great controversy which has continued over the ages is the "Mystery of Godliness." This year the argument has reached a new low. Corporate America has suddenly decided that it is sectarian to greet one another with "Merry Christmas", so they have substituted "Happy Holidays." Any reference to the Lord Jesus Christ is offensive to certain individuals in our country. In all actuality, they are most likely under conviction and the sound of that blessed name only increases that conviction. Those who do not know the Lord, regard God as a myth or non-existent. The wisdom of the world is not conducive to a knowledge of who God is, or if He actually exists. Natural, human, even well educated knowledge and wisdom fail to discover God. 1 Cor. 1:21 Nevertheless, ignorance of God is inexcusable. The Lord, explicitly, has purposed to make Himself known to man. More so now than ever before, He desires to bring mankind into the "fellowship of the mystery" which makes Him to be God. He is eager to reveal Himself to each and every heart as the Savior and Redeemer. Eph. 3:9 The very creation which surrounds us, and of which we take advantage every day, demands an intelligence, both for it as creation, and its existence. Every modern day invention which we use has an inventor and a builder, all agree to that. How then, could the universe just have happened? Zacharias, the priest of the Lord, when offering incense before the Lord, met the "Angel of the Lord." Not a common angel but a theophany of the Lord Jesus. The angel brought the message that a son was to be born of them. His name was to be John. His name means, "Jehovah is gracious," and surely the Lord is gracious. John was to bring joy and gladness to Israel. Luke 1:11-14 The Advent of the Lord Jesus Christ into this world was not without a number of witnesses and unusual circumstances. The pronouncement and birth of His forerunner, John was miraculous. Zacharias, who was to be his Father and Elisabeth his mother were both beyond the child bearing age. Luke 1:7, 18 Because Zacharias questioned the birth of the son for whom he had longed all of his life, there was placed a mark upon him. He was to spend the time of the gestation unable to speak because of his unbelief. Luke 1:20 The Lord always gives ample evidence of a great, impending spiritual event. There was a real flurry of spiritual activity surrounding the birth of the Lord Jesus. Merry. 2 The witness of Elizabeth, a descendent of Aaron, therefore of the lineage of the priesthood. Her name means, "God of the oath." She was to be the mother of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus. As an example of the type of person the Lord is searching for to use in His service, both Zacharias and Elizabeth are outstanding candidates. What a testimony as to their spirituality and integrity. "They were both righteous in the sight of God." They achieved this standard, under the Law, which is amazing. Likewise, the one who evaluated their righteousness, was the Lord Himself. They were "walking in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord, blamelessly" The were people totally dedicated to the ways of the Lord. Faultless, unblameable and irreproachable in the sight of the Lord. Luke 1: 6 If in that day, and under the then present religious system, there were people of this spiritual stature, how about today? Can the Lord find this kind of people again? Yes He can and Yes He will. We are all invited to be in that number. The witness of the shepherds. How fitting that these faithful shepherds would receive the good news in such a spectacular manner. They were faithful in performing their duty during the night hours when the sheep might stray or be attack by wild animals. What a situation they suddenly found themselves facing as the glory of the Lord began to shine around them. This is a light that shone brighter than the noonday sun when the Lord dealt with Saul. Can you imagine the sudden breaking forth of the shining of the glory of the Lord in the darkness of night. Instantly they went from the blackness of the night to the greatest of lights. They were bathed in light. They had every right to feel fear at such an awesome occurrence. Luke 2:8-9 How better to introduce the arrival into the world of "the Lamb of God," than to faithful shepherds who were actively watching over their sheep. The angel of the Lord brought them the message, the heart for the reason of celebrating the birth of Christ child. "Great joy" - it is not the type of joy which we find in this world because of some good circumstance, or happenings in our life. This is the "Joy of the Lord." A gladness and rejoicing that can only be known to those who are in Christ. It is a joy reserved for those who have repented of their sin, and have received the Lord Jesus as savior. Luke 2:10 The message of joy then, and as it is now, was the advent of a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. What a beautiful statement, for the Angel presented the fullness of His name. Lord Jesus (Savior) Christ. Also proclaimed His work. Savior, and His eternal status as King of kings and Lord of lords. Jesus Christ, is Lord. Luke 2:11 Merry. 3 The prophet who was to precede Jesus and prepare for His coming, was the main witness. John, known as the baptiser, was related to Jesus, through their parents. He was that unique son, born of parents who were past the age of normal child bearing, until the Lord performed a miracle in their bodies. Mary visiting Elisabeth and merely greeting her caused John to leap, not kick or move, but reacted with strong activity. Medically, sort that one out. Spiritually, he was alive and reacted to the good news. Luke 1:41, 44. Zacharias, his father, when given the ability to speak again, prophesied under the anointing of the Holy Ghost and spoke great things concerning his ministry. Yet it would be another thirty years before all that was spoken of him would come to pass. We want prophecy to come to pass immediately, but the Lord works in His own time. We have but a glimpse of his childhood and that is that he lived in the deserts. All the while increasing and growing strong in the spirit. There are three things which are noteworthy of John and would most certainly attribute to the success of his ministry. He was to be "great in the sight of the Lord." The eyes of the Lord were upon him. The direction of his life was according to divine will. He refrained from wine and strong drink. His satisfaction and pleasure were to be obtained from the Lord. Then, he was "filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mothers womb." An unusual situation. Jesus was not filled until he visited John in the wilderness and was baptized of him. John was a very special man and prophet. Luke 1:15 The nation of Israel was anticipating a prophet who would cry forth from the desert, proclaiming the coming of the Lord. Isa. 40:3 Also that Elijah would come before the great and notable day of the Lord would come. Mal. 4:5 John was not Elijah, but did come in the spirit and power of Elijah, that is, the spirit and bearing of a true prophet. Luke 1:17 What excitement he must have created after four hundred years without a prophetic voice. His ministry enjoyed great success. He need not advertise, the people by word of mouth accomplished that for him. He did not have a crew proceeding him to rent or prepare a place of meeting. They flocked to him. The people going out into the desert where he was. Mt. 3:1-3 His message was not one that would appeal to the natural man, but was straight forward and to the point, especially against the religionist of that day. Mt. 3:7-10 Merry. 4 Does it matter? Christmas cards, TV programs, yard scenes of the Nativity, even Christmas messages, had the wise men visiting the manger scene. Whereas, and as a matter of fact, they did not even visit Bethlehem, the city of the birth of Christ. Joseph and Mary were not permanent residents of Bethlehem. They were dwelling in Nazareth and had gone to Bethlehem because of taxation. Luke 2:4-5 More importantly, the prophets in Israel had predicted that the descendent of David who was to rule Israel would come out of Bethlehem. Micah 5:2 Following the little family we find them in Jerusalem on the eighth day of the life of Jesus, performing those things required of the law. Luke 2:21-24 Having accomplished their religious rites, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. The wise men visited Herod. Not that he had any knowledge of where the Christ child was but that he might be informed of the birth of another leader in his jurisdiction. A message that was to make him furious. He too was to fulfill prophecy pertaining to the Lord Jesus. He was not about to loose his authority to one who was born to be King of Israel. Of this we may be certain, he believed the wise men and also the prophecies that had been uttered concerning the Lord Jesus. Herod questioned them at length until he could approximate the time of the birth of Christ. Consequently, he ordered the slaughtering of all the children in Bethlehem from two years old and under. Imagine the grief and sorrow such an act would cause. Here too, we find a fulfillment of prophecy. Jer. 31:15, Mat. 2 :18 This lets us know that Jesus was approximately two years old when the wise men visited Him. Mat. 2:16 The star continued to lead them to the city and the exact house where the Christ child resided. How impressive, the star no longer moved toward the west but stood over the house where Jesus was to be found. How exacting! The Lord knew how to pinpoint a particular residence long before Google. Note, He is not called a baby but is referred to as a "young child." Mat. 2:9 The word "stood" certainly draws our attention here. Strong’s Greek/Hebrew Dictionary among others gives us meanings such as, abide; Both "stood" and "abide" would indicate that the star had reached its destiny, and its permanent abiding place. Another meaning that he gives is the word "covenant"; could there be a more positive, or wonderful word to be used, for He Who is the covenant was immediately under the star? complete 06:45 15/01/2006 formatting edited eof