The fact that Christ Jesus from Nazareth, by way of Heaven, came into this world is indisputable. Even the most ardent opposers to the Christian faith recognize and concede the historical fact of Jesus, who is called, “The Christ.” Heaven proclaimed His coming in the Garden of Eden, and spotted throughout the Old Testament, His promise was renewed and expectation for Him grew. The faithful to God knew the prophecies and without a doubt, reasoned that the time was right.

“When the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of woman, made under the law” (Galatians 4:4). The wise men sought him and found him. And it is no different for wise men today (Acts 17:27). There is a song found in our hymnal that bears the title of this article. Many sing this song in relation to the Christmas Holiday.

When one considers the Biblical data regarding the birth of the Savior, there is a 0% chance that Jesus was born on December 25. That is just a fact. The Biblical data for this statement is discerned from:1 Chronicles 24, Luke 1, and Leviticus 23. This information and some math will give you a March or September birth month for Jesus.

While that is what we can discern from the Bible, our nation recognizes Christmas day as a federal holiday. Many celebrate the day as the birth of Jesus. Jesus, is the “reason for the season.” I would hasten to say that Jesus is the reason for every season (Colossians 1:16-17). I personally do not observe Christmas as the birth of Jesus. I find no command in the Bible to do such, and I find no example of the primitive church celebrating His birth. I do, however, find the Savior Himself commanding His disciples to remember His death (Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthains 11:23-26), and the example is that it is done on the first day of every week (Acts 20:7).

While this is what I perceive is the Biblical expectation, I am thrilled that so many turn their attention to the Savior and the recognize that He came into the world. This point is certainly worthy to be considered and celebrated (2 Corinthians 8:9). I find no angst in my soul over the fact that people have celebrated this arbitrary day as Jesus’ birthday, so long as they do not make it a religious celebration. I, for one, am thankful that God sent His son into the world to be the Savior of it (John 3:16-17). I wish more people would find joy in the celebration of Jesus (in any facet) and use it as a season of teaching and thankfulness.

                                                   “O Come, Let Us Adore Him”

His Birth

Aren’t you glad that Jesus left the splendor of Heaven for the ruins of earth? Isn’t the mode in which Jesus made His appearance something to adore (Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:28-35). Do we not stand in amazement at the sight of one so powerful, humbling Himself to the point that Jesus did (Philippians 2:6-7)? Jesus left the comfort of equality with God to gestate for nine months and become God in human form (Matthew 1:23; John 1:29; Hebrews 2:17). Jesus, the second member of the godhead, was born by natural means by way of a miraculous conception. That holy one of God nursed on the breast of a woman, and ate food that we may turn our nose up at, wore sandals and no doubt had dirty feet. He enjoyed no “creature comforts” that we so often take for granted (Matthew 8:20). We often enjoy the safety of a place to go and get away. Jesus was hunted from the time His birth was announced (Matthew 2:13). Surely, we can adore Him for coming into this world!

His Life

Jesus didn’t stay a baby in a manger. Jesus was said to, “increase in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52). At twelve years old, Jesus sat among the, “doctors, both hearing them and asking them questions. He was adored as a youth and perplexed the masters of the Jewish religion (Luke 2:46-47). Jesus spent His time doing good (Acts 10:38). He taught the masses (Mark 6:34), He fed the multitudes (Matthew 14:13-21), and ministered to the misfortunate (John 20:30-31). Jesus’ life and ministry was summed up as this, “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written” (John 21:25).

His Death

The Lord came for this express purpose: To die for the sins of the human race, and conquer death, to which mankind had no answer nor reprieve (John 1:29; Hebrews 2:14-17). The Roman empire had subjugated the entire world to their service. Israel, as a nation, and political entity, had been conquered. The memory of God’s favor and blessing on them was a painful reminder that the past was long gone. They were limited in law by the Roman rule, and they had no military recourse. But they had a promise, a promise of God, that one day a King would come (Micah 5:2). He would ascend to Davids’ throne, and that Kingdom would stand forever (Daniel 2:44; Luke 1:32-33). Jesus was that descendant. Jesus was that King. But the Kingdom was not going to be the “ideal” Kingdom of the Jewish mind. The Jews were longing for one to remove the scourge of the Roman oppression. Jesus constantly challenged the corruption that the Jews had made of Gods religion, and the leaders of that corrupt system hated Him. They wanted Him dead. They were unwilling to consider the evidence that Christ provided them. They were unabashed in their desires and intentions. Nevertheless, God allowed them to pursue their desires being unaware that they would be used by Him to bring about His plan.

 Jesus suffered the most heinous death at the hands of the harshest men. Men who were efficient in the realm of torture. Men who were proud of their ability to take the life out of a man so slowly and agonizingly. Do you not adore Him who, “endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself,” for you (Hebrews 12:3)? O Come, Let Us Adore Him at the cross.

His Resurrection

It is the resurrection that gave life to a dead movement. It was the resurrection that, “declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:4). Before Sunday morning, the disciples were defeated. They were in shock. Their friend who had led them along for over three years, and performed so many feats which pointed to Him being the Messiah, was dead and buried. They were scattered, they were in a whirlwind of emotions. But “up from the grave He arose, with a mighty triumph o’er his foes, He arose the victor from the dark domain.”  O Come, Let Us Adore Him, having done the very thing He said He would (Matt.16:21; 17:22-23; 20:18-19, 27:63; Mark 8:31; 9:31, 10:33-34; 14:28; Luke 9:22; 18:31-33; 24:6-7; and John 2:19-22). Jesus had told the disciples over and over that He would die and rise again. They had witnessed the power of nature abated at the authority of His word. They had witnessed a lad’s lunch be multiplied, to the feeding of multiplied thousands. They were present to see Him raise the dead, heal the sick and restore sight. Even the dreaded disease of leprosy was cured by His touch. Yet, they were also present to see Him arrested, criminally and illegally prosecuted, tortured and crucified. They heard His last cry, “Father into your hands I commend my spirit, it is finished” (Luke 23:46; John 19:30), and He died. There was no doubt He was dead. The earth convulsed as its creator was murdered. The sun was black, the ground shook, the tombs opened and dead men walked. So violent and convincing was the scene at Calvary, a Centurian and all who were with him was convinced that the lifeless body of the man nailed above him was the Son of God (Matthew 27:54). And yet, Jesus rose from the dead, having overcome all of the devils attempts to thwart the plan of God. Jesus destroyed the power of death and the devil. And He again walked this earth some 40 more days, showing and proving that He was alive while speaking about the Kingdom (Acts 1:3). Adore Him in the resurrection.

His Coming Again

Can you imagine the scene? The royal emissaries of Jehovah flank Him as He descends in the clouds. His fiery countenance exuding His power and authority are displayed for the entire world. The superlative blast from the trumpet of His angels wakes up the dead. And it is in this moment, every tear, every heartache, every pain, every loss, every upset, every defeat and every reversal will be fixed for eternity by the one who died, rose, ascended; Promising His return in Gods good timing. To the faithful, it will be the greatest sight to ever fix their eyes upon. The faith that they had exercised throughout the painful journey of the former existence will be left in the ash of eternal history, and that faith will be exonerated before every scoffer, every doubter, and every form of evil. O Come, Let Us Adore Him, in His return. He will separate the saved and lost, the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Peter 3:10-12).

O Come, Let Us Adore Him.

Not only in a manger, but beyond. Praise God for sending Jesus. Celebrate that if you will. But remember everything else wonderful about the Savior. He did everything with you in mind. He loves you- and we do too.

https://www.facebook.com/EastsideChurchOfChristMorgantonGeorgia

https://www.youtube.com/@eastsidechurchofchristmorg6930

We invite you to check out our Facebook page and YouTube channel for your edification.