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How do you and your family celebrate birthdays?
How do you and your co-workers celebrate birthdays? How does your church family celebrate birthdays? In my family of origin, we gather. We sing. We feast. We give gifts and at some point someone re-tells the story of the birth. My very pregnant mom was eating Broadway Pizza with my two older sisters at my grandparent's home when her water broke. My grandma barked orders to my grandpa to call my dad. He was not moving fast enough for her, so she kicked him in the shin for motivation. They called my dad at the military base. He was on an F1-11 jet doing a pre-flight check when the radio controller passed on the news, "Mark, your wife is being rushed to the hospital; the baby is coming." Flight was cancelled. A change of clothes and he cruised to the hospital. He arrived before my mom. Back at my grandparents home, there was still some tense moments getting the car out of the driveway and onto the hospital... and the story goes on until they receive the news that their first and only son was born. How did Heaven celebrate the birth of The Word -- God in Human Flesh -- the One and Only Son -- The Christ Child? God said it is time and He sent His Angel Gabriel on His missions. I am sure this set off a plethora of action in Heaven. The enthusiastic Angel Gabriel was off declaring the news of the coming Messiah to a doubting, older yet righteous priest who became mute until the birth of his son, John the Baptist, from his barren wife. The exuberant Angel Gabriel shared the news with a virgin, young girl that she was chosen to be the mother of the Messiah. A disillusioned and heart broken finance received a visit from the cheerful Angel Gabriel settling Joseph's fears that Mary was telling the truth about a miracle conception. The traveling pregnant couple ended up in some what of a barn in Bethlehem when The Messiah, Jesus Christ was born. The eager Angel Gabriel declared to a group of relaxed quickly turned to freaked out Shepherds that the Savior was born; then joined by a heavenly choir singing worship and birthday songs. The visit from the wise men from the East gave gifts to this new born King. The jealous and murderous King Herod killed all first born boys in order to end the life of this Messiah and Savior without success. That first Christmas was full of announcements, declarations, singing, celebrating, worshiping and miracles; the miracle birth of the One and Only Savior of the World - Jesus Christ! Can you picture in your mind all of Heaven singing... "Glory to God... Glory to God... Glory to God... Glory to God... In the Highest Heaven. On earth - Peace...on Earth - Peace...On Earth Peace... On Earth Peace... to those whom His Favor rests." Let the lyrics of that heavenly song fill your heart and mind. Are you one of those on whom His favor rests? If not, why not? If so, how are you going to celebrating Jesus' birthday this year? I wonder how does Heaven celebrate Jesus' birthday each and every year? I'm sure they are still enjoying, celebrating and worshiping! And perhaps retelling the birth story, just as we do it on earth. It never gets old. Celebrating Jesus' birthday together, Pastor Chris
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Was it by some accident that Mary became pregnant?
Was it because of some mistake that Jesus was born in Bethlehem? Was it on a whim that an evil leader killed all the first-born male babies born during a period in Bethlehem? Was the miracle conception an afterthought by some crazy person trying to rewrite history in order to make Jesus more impressive? Was it an afterthought by God to step into the world to help it out? Matthew wrote, "All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet." Matt 1:22 Dozens of the details of Jesus' birth were clearly communicated by God hundreds and thousands of years before Jesus was actually born. God went to great lengths to mark history with a once-in-a-world miracle birth of Jesus. Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, God communicated the location of the birth, the birth line and family tree, the tragedy of the devious murder of first born boys, the weeping of mothers, and so many others to show how powerful, specific and strategic God is. "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Micah 5:2 “A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” Jer 31:15 There are no prophecies foretelling details about the birth of other religious leaders. No prophecies alerted the world to the coming of Muhammad (Islam), Joseph Smith (Mormonism), David Koresh (Branch Davidians), Charles Taze Russell (Jehovah’s Witnesses), Siddhartha Gautama (Buddhism), or any other founder of the world’s religions. Yet the Old Testament pinpointed numerous details about the life of the Son of God and Savior of the world. So, let's pause long enough to be in awe of God. Let's contemplate the impossibility of someone orchestrating all of these specific details of the Messiah's birth, life, death and resurrection. Let's share this amazing news about the birth of Jesus with a friend or family member who does not celebrate Jesus' birthday. Let's gather with our church family in order to worship God more passionately. Let's join the angels and sing, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14 Let's join the shepherds by sharing with others who Jesus is, "When the shepherds had seen (baby Jesus), they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them." Luke 2:17 In awe, in love, desiring to share with others, Pastor Chris |
AuthorPastor Chris Reinertson enjoys all sports, especially those involving a ball. He loves to hang out with people and challenge them to be Jesus REVolutionizers. Archives
April 2020
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