"JMT" December 24, 2006

"The True Reason for the Season."

Hey folks,

You cannot talk about Christmas, without talking about God. Nor can you truly understand the meaning of the season, without talking about Jesus. So if the Bible, Jesus, God, or anything that could be deemed "religious" offends you. STOP READING THIS NOW. If not, read on.

It’s Christmas Eve. "All through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse." Well, that’s not exactly true. All the Moms and Dads are stirring, while they play Santa. Getting things ready for the big day. Getting the things ready for the kiddies when they get up. To further the magic that IS Christmas morning.

But is this all that it is about? Is Christmas just a time for family and friends to give gifts? To go into debt trying to out do the year before? Or is there another reason? A more import one. One that MADE Christmas? The REAL reason for the season.

From the beginning of time man’s heart has been evil. From the Garden to Noah’s day, man did and invented many evil things. This made God so discussed that He sought to destroy what he had made. But Noah found favor in the eyes of God. Because of this one man, God spared mankind through him, his wife, their sons and their wives.

After the flood. Noah thanked God for sparing him and his family, and in essence, mankind it self, through burnt offerings.

Gen 8:21

21And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.

God was so pleased with Noah, that he told him of this, and made a covenant, a promise, to him.

Gen 9:13-16

13I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.

14And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:

15And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.

16And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.

So every time you look up in the sky, and see a rainbow, you are actually seeing the manifestation and physical evidence of this covenant between God and Noah. So since God cannot lie, will never go back on HIS word, he is BOUND to allow us to exist no matter if we deserve it or not.

But man, being man, continued to be evil, and do wicked things. So God created laws. The were not followed. God sent prophets. They were ignored. God talked to man directly. Few listened. So what was God to do? He cannot destroy us utterly again because of His promise. So,

John 3:16,17

16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Hence the beginning of the very first Christmas.

Story of Jesus

Matthew 1:18-25


18Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

19Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

20But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

22Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

23Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

24Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

25And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Now to fully understand the importance of His Birth, you MUST fully understand His life, and most importantly, His death, yet rather, His resurrection.

During His life He preached love and humbleness. He healed the sick, gave hearing to the death, and let the blind see. He preached life eternal, and the peace of a one on one relationship with God the Father of all. He was rejected as were all the prophets before Him. As God’s word. He was arrested, beaten, and hung on the Cross. He fulfilled all to bear YOUR sins, sickness, and diseases. He shed His blood for yours. He died so that you may live. Then,

Jesus Risen Matthew 28


1In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

2And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

3His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

4And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

5And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

6He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

7And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

8And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

9And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

10Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

11Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.

12And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,

13Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.

14And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.

15So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

16Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

17And when they saw him, they worshiped him: but some doubted.

18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth."

19 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:"

20 "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

Now you can get hung up on the stupidity of this,"Is this the right time of year?", "Could the birth took place some other time." suff if you want to. But this really does not matter. We have set this time aside to remember the greatest gift of all. Sent by God, through His flesh, Jesus, to allow ANYONE who simply receives His gift to be forgiven of Sin, pardoned of death, and to have life everlasting.

So just keep in mind, that while you a battling it out in the stores for the last {Insert the big thing this year here}, while you are depressed because you cannot get much to give, stress out about all the "Holiday" stuff, the REAL reason for the season is just waiting to hear,

"Oh Heavenly Father Lord God. I’m a sinner. I cannot change that. But I know you can. I have heard of Jesus coming to earth and dying for MY sins. I pray that you forgive me Lord. I ask you to come into my life, and set me free. I repent my sins and give myself to you this day. In the name of Jesus, Amen."

If you say this prayer in your own words and by your own belief, you WILL receive the greatest gift of all. Yes folks, it IS just that simple. You have to do nothing. Simply accept. THIS is the reason for the season. The birth of the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings. The opportunity for all, that includes you and me, to receive that of which we can NEVER earn. The grace, mercy, and unconditional love of God.

So decorate your tree. Get your gifts. {Try to stay in your budget. Trust me, I speak from experience.} Spend time with your loved ones, and remember, no matter what you hear, how you hear it, what anyone says, if it were NOT for Jesus, there would be no such thing as Christmas

Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good night.
Peter