This is an article unrelated to the outdoors I usually write about. This is a statement of my beliefs about this most wonderful time of the year.
Christmas is special time of the year filled with countless traditions and legends. The true meaning of Christmas is found in a stable in the town of Bethlehem. The birth in Bethlehem set in motion a Holy plan by a Holy God planned before the foundation of the world. God in his infinite wisdom decided to join us in the flesh to be the perfect sacrifice for the sin of mankind.
This birth of Jesus Christ is a key element in the redemption of sinful man because God was incarnated into a sinful world. The birth was supernatural because he was born to a virgin thus escaping the sin nature cast upon mankind in the Garden of Eden by the sin of Adam. In spite of his fleshly body, Jesus Christ was truly God and was with God as part of the Holy Trinity before time began.
The story of Christmas does not end with His birth, quite the contrary it was just the beginning of a wonderful journey leading to the redemption of man. It can not be overstated that without this miraculous virgin birth, the remainder of God’s Holy plan would not have been possible. Not only was Christ born without sin, he lived a totally sinless, Holy, perfect life thus enabling him to be the perfect lamb for the remission of sin.
The crucifixion of Christ was the second major step in the journey to redemption. The precious, Holy blood of the perfect sacrifice had to be shed in order to continue God’s plan. Jesus laid down his life for our sins and although man physically nailed him to the cross, Jesus willingly allowed this to happen in order to perfectly fulfill the plans of God the Father.
The saga did not end with the crucifixion because if not for the third part of God’s plan man’s redemption would have not been complete. Jesus Christ miraculously rose from the dead, and in doing so miraculously proved that he was alive. The fact of his resurrection separates him from any prophet that existed before or after him. The birth, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus allowed mankind to be saved from the depravity of sin once and for all. Nothing else needed to be done other than accepting this wonderful gift showered upon us straight from the Holy throne of God.
Although the birth of Jesus in a humble stable many years ago was just one part of the plan it was certainly an integral part of the plan. His birth totally divides time and sets into motion the most wonderful news in the history of mankind. No wonder the host of heaven proclaimed this good news in such wonderful splendor. As a result of this perfect display of humility, and love man could be reconciled with a Holy God.
Merry Christmas!
