The Coming Of Christ

December 24, 2022 – Ron Green

When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! Matthew 2:10 NLT

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means ‘God with us’).” – Matthew 1:22-23

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). That is the story of Christmas– God’s love sent his Son Jesus Christ to provide salvation for all who believe.

Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. Luke 2:9-10 

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen! Isaiah 9:6-7 

Ellen White writes

This Day With God: December 15. (2nd paragraph)

Soon the old year, with its burden of record, will have passed into eternity, and the new year will have begun. Let us gather up the treasures of the past year, and carry with us into the new year the remembrance of God’s goodness and mercy. Let us brighten the future by the thought of past blessings.

Pastor Joseph gave a sermon about God giving us a pearl as a gift. In the Gospel of Matthew chapter 13 you can study what that gift of a pearl actually is. This is essentially the message of the gospel found within this short parable. By telling this parable of the pearl of great value, Jesus is both foretelling his death, as well as explaining his reason for coming to earth in the form of a man so he can be the sacrifice necessary for our salvation. Matthew 13:44-46

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:45-46 

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. Colossians 1:15-16 

Conclusion:

Ellen White writes: 

This Day With God December 17 (2nd paragraph):

The 25th of December has long been commemorated as the day of Jesus’ birth, and … it is not my purpose to affirm or question the propriety of celebrating this event on this day, but to dwell upon the childhood and life of our Saviour. It is my purpose to call the attention of the children to the humble manner in which the Redeemer came to the world.

(Last Paragraph), she writes in part:

Let the hearts of all respond with exceeding joy for the priceless gift of the Son of God.—The Review and Herald, December 17, 1889.

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form. Philippians 2:5-7 

Jesus, God’s Son, came to earth to reunite us with God through the ultimate sacrifice: his own life. We could never live a life worthy of God on our own. So Jesus lived a life without sin on our behalf. And then he died the painful death our sins deserve.

The gift of a pearl “Jesus” from God is a gift of life for now and for eternity. The scriptures tells us that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. John 14:6

This Christmas season as you exchange gifts with family and friends, let us not forget the gift of the Pearl. For without Jesus, there would be no Hope, Peace, and Joy. Jesus is the only reason for the season, Merry Christmas.

—- Chaplain Ron