Praising God - as we celebrate Christ's birth
- John 3:16
The Gospel is for the whole world. The story of the shepherds tells us that the Gospel is for the Jews. The story of the wise men tells us that the Gospel is for the Gentiles.
The story of the shepherds tells us that the Gospel is for the poor. The story of the wise men tells us that the Gospel is for the rich.
To every one, God says, “I bring you Good News of a great joy … “ (Luke 2:10-11).
- Luke 1:30-35
The baby was to be called Jesus - Saviour (Luke 1:31). He was to be called the Son of God (Luke 1:35).
Jesus Christ is both God’s Son and our Saviour. If we are to have a true understanding of both who Christ is and what He has done for us, we must never forget these are the great features of His story: He is God’s Son and He is our Saviour.
The Apostle Paul sums this up very well - “the Son of God loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
- Luke 1:37-38
When worldly, unbelieving people read the words of the angel in Luke 1:35, they become uncomfortable. They are not too keen on all this talk about the Holy Spirit.
We are to respond in faith to the Word of God, allowing the Holy Spirit to work in our lives the miracle of the new birth,
As we remember Christ’s miraculous and holy birth, we are saying to God, “For with God nothing is impossible.”
As we consider what God wants to do in our lives, here and now, we are saying to God, “Let it be to me according to Your Word.”
- Luke 1:46-50; Luke 2:13-14; Luke 2:20
When we consider the miracle of Christ’s holy birth, our hearts are to be filled with praise to God, sharing in Mary’s song of joy: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour” (Luke 1:46-47).
We are to praise God, echoing the song of the angels: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased” (Luke 2:14).
We are to join with the shepherds in “glorifying and praising God for all that we have heard” concerning our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
From our hearts, we can truly say with the Apostle Paul: “Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift!” (2 Corinthians 9