Read The Greatest Story That Has Ever Been Told
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The Greatest Story Ever Told
“The Greatest Story That Has Ever Been Told”
“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 Counselor, The mighty
God, The everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
Some would refer to
Christ coming as being the Christmas story. However, the birth of
Jesus cannot be considered to be
just another Christmas story that makes reference to the birth of Jesus
while being intertwined with Pagan Christmas traditions.
To me, the birth of
Jesus was the most miraculous event that has ever taken place since the
beginning of time when God created Adam from the dust of the earth and
later his companion, Eve. I have always had a theory that before Jesus
was born of the virgin Mary, that God our Heavenly Father, his son Jesus
Christ and the Holy Spirit had what I have often referred to as the
“greatest big three conference ever.” God turned to his son Jesus asking
him to go down to earth and save the world in an effort to prevent God’s
judgment and wrath to be poured out upon the universe and all of the
people. Jesus stepped down from the throne willingly, to be reduced to a
tiny seed and to be carried by the Holy Ghost down to earth to be placed
in the body of a virgin who’s name was, “Mary”.
It was necessary that
God send an angel who appeared to Mary and said, “Fear not, Mary: for
thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shall conceive in thy
womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name JESUS. He shall be
great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God
shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign
over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no
end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not
a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall
come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee:
therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be
called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also
conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her,
who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible. And
Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to
thy word.” Luke 1:30-38
No
sooner than Mary consented she conceived as the Holy Ghost had spoken.
Then Mary journeyed to visit her cousin. “And it came to pass, that when
Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and
Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spoke out with a loud
voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit
of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should
come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in
mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that
believed.” Luke 1:41-45
“And Mary abode with her about three months, and
returned to her own house.” Luke 1:56
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary
was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with
child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and
not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away
privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the
Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David,
fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in
her is the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt
call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”
Matthew 1:18-21
I’m sure that you will
agree with me that this IS The Greatest Story! When Mary drew near to
the time when she was to give birth to the Christ child there went out a
decree from Caesar Augustus that everyone had to return to their own
city or town from whence they came to pay taxes. It is believed that
Mary insisted that she go with Joseph to Bethlehem even though her time
was very near. I am sure that you are familiar with the fact that when
they arrived in Bethlehem they found that there was no room for them at
the Inn. The inn keeper, seeing that she was great with child, no doubt
suggested to Joseph that the two of them go down to the sheep barn,
giving Joseph permission to select a sheep stall that was the cleanest
and also to go up into the hayloft and throw down sufficient hay to make
them as comfortable a bed as possible. And on that night Jesus was born.
Mary and Joseph wrapped the baby Jesus in swaddling clothes and laid him
in a manger which no doubt was a food trough for little lambs. No doubt
the beautiful star of Bethlehem provided proficient light. I can imagine
that Mary kissed the baby Jesus and in essence she was kissing the face
of God.
At
the same time there were shepherds in the fields keeping watch over
their sheep. An angel of the Lord appeared to them saying, “Fear not:
for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to
all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior,
which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11
“And suddenly there was with the angel a
multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in
the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
Luke 2:13-14
The beautiful star of Bethlehem continued for months. After some time,
wise men from afar decided to pack up and journey to Jerusalem,
believing that surely the star was an indication that the Jews had been
given a new King. They appeared before the King asking, “Where is he
that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east,
and are come to worship him.” Matthew 2:2
The King escorted them to the Chief Priest
and Elders believing that if there was such a King they would surely
know. The Chief Priest informed them that it was to take place in
Bethlehem of Judaea. Immediately they left Jerusalem and they followed
the beautiful star of Bethlehem until it came and stood right over where
Mary and the young child was.
When they had come into
the house they bowed down and worshipped him then opened their treasures
and gave unto Him, Jesus, gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Please
note that their gifts were not to anyone but JESUS. Wouldn’t it be
wonderful if every person gave gifts unto the Lord, His work, His
Ministry and soul winning outreaches? Instead, we find that even most
Christians give to family members, loved ones and friends but forget
about HIM. After all we must remember that Christmas is all about Jesus,
at least that’s the way it should be. We can give to others on different
occasions.
Levaughn and I, along with our children, sat in church one Sunday
morning two weeks before Christmas. Our pastor challenged every member
of the congregation that if they insist on giving gifts to one another
then why not add up the entire cost of all the gifts given and whatever
the sum of that amount was to give the same amount to the Lord, His work
and any soul winning endeavor. At that moment, even without sight, I
could feel the difference in the atmosphere.
I’ve prayed for you that this will be the most wonderful Christmas ever and I want to thank you for remembering the one who loves us all with such great love, there’s no possible way that we can describe. It is to be expected of anyone and everyone that we love our family, loved ones and friends, but at Christmas Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, is given first place. I am convinced that if most Christians would put Jesus first that would make a world of difference.
In remembering Jesus this Christmas, why don’t we follow the direction of the wise men. Let us give a special gift to HIM.
