18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
Jesus was born under extraordinary conditions. From there, Jesus continued to live under extraordinary conditions. When he was twelve, he went to the temple where his parents were looking desperatly for him. When they found him, they were relieved, and Jesus said to them "Didn't you know I would be at my Father's house?"
Again, about thirty-three years later I believe, we see that the Holy Spirit leads him to the desert for forty days and forty nights just to be tempted by Satan. And then Satan came to try and tempt him.
Matthew 4:1-11:
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written,
Jesus lived, an extraordinary life!
In this culture, we seemed to have made Christmas a big deal, and yet, not such a big deal at all! Let me explain, Christmas is celebrated by giving gifts to each other, by drinking, by throwing parties, etc. Nothing wrong with that. When it becomes wrong however, is when it becomes over the top (as in sinful desires) and/or forgetting the true meaning of CHRISTmas. It is meant for the remembering/celebrating of Christ's birth, and ultimately, his death. But our culture doesn't want to believe this, instead, they want to take to believing of a white-bearded fat man dressed up in a red gown delivering gifts to all the kids around the world! And in all the madness, we forget what it is Christmas is really about. It's about Christ's birth.
Thanks for reading, please tell me what you think, and Merry Christmas!
Again, about thirty-three years later I believe, we see that the Holy Spirit leads him to the desert for forty days and forty nights just to be tempted by Satan. And then Satan came to try and tempt him.
Matthew 4:1-11:
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written,
“‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,
“‘He will command his angels concerning you,’
and
“‘On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”
lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”
7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,
“‘You shall worship the Lord your God
and him only shall you serve.’”
and him only shall you serve.’”
11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.
Jesus lived, an extraordinary life!
In this culture, we seemed to have made Christmas a big deal, and yet, not such a big deal at all! Let me explain, Christmas is celebrated by giving gifts to each other, by drinking, by throwing parties, etc. Nothing wrong with that. When it becomes wrong however, is when it becomes over the top (as in sinful desires) and/or forgetting the true meaning of CHRISTmas. It is meant for the remembering/celebrating of Christ's birth, and ultimately, his death. But our culture doesn't want to believe this, instead, they want to take to believing of a white-bearded fat man dressed up in a red gown delivering gifts to all the kids around the world! And in all the madness, we forget what it is Christmas is really about. It's about Christ's birth.
Thanks for reading, please tell me what you think, and Merry Christmas!
No comments:
Post a Comment