And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
Some Christians have gone sour in December, because they look around at all the distractions of sales at stores and celebrations to Santa, instead of Christ. It may seem that communities are celebrating everything but Christ at Christmas. Don’t be discouraged, they don’t know the right thing to do, unless the truth of Christmas is explained to them in word and example.
The goal of this article is to remind us of how wonderful it is that God chose to live among us and to remind us that God rewards those who celebrate His appearing.
Christmas is the time of year where we celebrate Christ’s appearing. God, the creator of the universe, chose to come down to earth in the form of a baby and dwell among us.
An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”
22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” (Matthew 1:20-23 & Isaiah 7:14)
Jesus’ Life Among Us
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John give us a written record of some of the amazing things surrounding Jesus the Messiah’s birth and life.
• Jesus’ birth was announced by angels. (Matthew 1 and Luke 2)
• Wise men came from other nations to bring gifts and worship. (Matthew 2)
• A jealous king killed many babies trying to murder Jesus. (Matthew 2)
• Jesus cast out demons and healed the sick. (Mark 1)
• Jesus fed five thousand men with five loaves of bread and two fish. After stuffing their pockets, there were still twelve baskets full of food left over. (Matthew 14 & Luke 9)
• Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead to show He is the source of eternal life. (John 11)
• Jesus was executed on a cross to pay the price in Heaven’s court for our offenses against God’s holiness. (Luke 23)
• Jesus arose from the dead and commanded His followers to teach the world about Him. (Luke 24 & Matthew 28)
The Reward
Worshiping God and telling others about Jesus is the right response to finding out about Christ’s appearing. The apostle Paul called it righteousness. In Paul’s final letter to his dear friend Timothy, Paul wrote,
“Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (II Timothy 4:8)
Paul encouraged Timothy and all those who would listen to receive the crown of righteousness by loving Christ’s appearing. Paul encouraged us in other places to look forward to Christ’s return, but here he is telling us of a reward for those who loved Jesus’ first appearing.
So as we turn our calendars to 2012, remember that 2012 years ago Christ appeared and was living among us. And as we look forward to seeing Christ after our death, He will give a Crown of Righteousness to those who loved the right thing … His Appearing.