Birth of Jesus Christ

By Petal Barclay-Smith

Let Every Day Be Christmas

                                            By Norman Wesley Brooks

Christmas is forever, not for just one day, for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf. The good you do for others is good you do yourself. Peace on Earth, good will to men, kind thoughts and words of cheer, are things we should use often and not just once a year. Remember too the Christ-child, grew up to be a man; to hide him in a cradle, is not our dear Lord’s plan. So keep the Christmas spirit, share it with others far and near, from week to week and month to month, throughout the entire year!

The Birth of Jesus Christ

Matthew 1: 18-25

¹⁸ This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 

²⁰ But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹ She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

²² All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ²³ “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

²⁴ When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. ²⁵ But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

We also read in the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 1, that angel Gabriel went to virgin Mary in Galilee and told her she has found favor with God and will give birth to a son and His name shall be Jesus. She was told Jesus will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.

Mary was perplexed at such great words and asked how could it be since she was a virgin. But angel Gabriel answered her saying, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” When Jesus was born, He was wrapped in cloths and placed in a manager, for their was no room in the inn.

But glory to God, Jesus is no longer a baby in a manager. He is alive and well and seated at the right hand of God the Father making intercession for us.  Jesus came to serve. During His time on earth, His ministry comprised of teaching, preaching and healing. He showed love and compassion for all and He  commands us today to feed the poor and take care of the needy.

As we reflect on the birth of Jesus Christ, let us share our love and heart with those less fortunate, with the widows and the orphans. Let us light up someone’s heart this Christmas with joy and peace and goodwill. Let us remember the weak and the incapacitated, for Jesus said it is more blessed to give than to receive. Our Christian walk is not about us, it about who we can bless. The Bible tells us, He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor.  And He who gives to the poor will never want, but he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.

I pray that God will richly bless us as we give to the poor this Christmas and may our cup continue to overflow with His grace and favor in Jesus name, Amen.