In This Issue:
Costly Christmas
Prophecies about Christ’s Birth
Jesus’ Birth
The Borrower
Jesus’ Birth: According to Luke 2
Volume: 936 December 11, 2023
Theme: Christmas
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Costly Christmas
Author Unknown
- It cost Mary and Joseph the comforts of home during a long exile in Egypt to protect the little Babe.
- It cost mothers in and around Bethlehem the massacre of their babies by the cruel order of Herod (Matthew 2:16).
- It cost the shepherds the complacency of their shepherds’ lives, as they had to drop their watching of sheep to see the Christ child.
- It cost the early apostles and the early church persecution and sometimes death.
- It cost missionaries for Christ untold suffering to spread the Good News that the promised Messiah had come.
- More than all this, it cost God the Father His only Son. He sent Him to Earth to save men from Hell.
- It cost Jesus a life of sacrifice and service. He died a cruel death.
Is Christmas Too Costly?
- It is, if all that it means is gift exchanges.
- It is, if all that it means is tinsel.
- It is, if all that it means is millions spent on the commercialized Christmas.
- It is, if all that it means is a holiday.
It Wasn’t Too Costly
- If it means the hope of the world.
- If it means the forgiveness of sin
- If it means peace among men.
“Selfishness makes Christmas a burden. Love makes it a delight!”
Prophecies about Christ’s Birth
Bill Brinkworth
Long before Christ’s birth, the Bible described His coming. Here are some of the many prophecies and the approximate dates they were foretold.
- 1872 B. C. was when it was told He would be of Abraham’s lineage. Genesis 22:18
- 742 B. C. was when Isaiah said the Child would be born of a virgin.
“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14 - 740 B. C. was when Isaiah foretold that the child would be God in the flesh, amongst His other abilities.
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 Some of this verse was fulfilled when Christ was born. - 740 B. C. was when Hosea said the Child would live in Egypt and be called out of it (Hosea 11:1). This prophecy was fulfilled in Matthew 2:13-14.
- 713 B. C. was when it was foretold (Isaiah 11:1) that the child would be of Jesse’s family line.
- 590 B. C. was when it was said that He would be a descendant of King David. (Jeremiah 23:5-6)
- 510 B. C. was when it was prophesied that the Saviour would be born in Bethlehem and of the tribe of Judah.
“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” Micah 5:2 The prophecy was fulfilled in Luke 2:4-7. - Psalms 2:7 states He would be the Son of God. Luke 3:22 tells of the fulfillment of that prophecy.
The birth of Jesus was not an ordinary birth of just any person. It was a well-planned, special event by God. The birth of Christ ushered in God’s promise that a Saviour would come, and through belief in Him, anyone could have God’s promise of eternal life.
“Christmas began in the heart of God. It is complete only when it reaches the heart of man.” — Religious Telescope
We esteem every day alike, but as the season suggests thoughts of Jesus, let us joyfully remember our dear Redeemer’s glorious birth. Who but He was ever longed for by such a multitude of hearts? When else did angels indulge in midnight songs, or did God hang a new star in the sky? To whose cradle did rich and poor make so willing a pilgrimage and offer such hearty and unsought oblations? Well may Earth rejoice; well may all men cease their labor to celebrate “the great birthday” of Jesus. Let gladness rule the hour. Let holy song and sweet music accompany our souls in the raptures of joy.
“Each recurring Christmas gives occasion to emphasize anew the wonderful story of the love of God that led Him to send His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.” — H. A. Ironside
He borrowed a stable in which to be born;
And later confessed that he had no bed.
He borrowed a basket that bright spring morn;
Sent the people away, their hunger fed.
He borrowed a boat from which to preach
His Father’s love to sinful men;
They stood that day on Galilee’s beach,
Longing to hear his message again.
He borrowed a donkey on which to ride
With royal blessings from on high;
To hear the proud city his name deride,
Scornfully bidding him pass by.
He borrowed a room in which to meet
His friends, the sacred feast to keep of old;
But the towel to dry his disciples’ feet
Was not his nor the holy table His to hold.
He borrowed a cross on which to die,
A ransom from sin, a life laid down.
He borrowed a tomb in which to lie
Yet the great universe was his own.
Jesus’ Birth: According to Luke 2
1 ¶ And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 ¶ And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.