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Baby Jesus

To Us A Child Is Born, To Us A Son Is Given

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According to the “World Book Dictionary” definition of the verb incarnate is “embody; to put into an actual form; realize.” The “Doubleday Dictionary” defines it as “to give bodily form to.” The idea is that to incarnate is to bring a person, a trait, or a truth to life. God chose to reveal Himself through the life of Jesus Christ!

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. (NIV) John 1:14
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. (NIV) Colossians 1:15
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being. . . (NIV) Hebrews 1:3
Jesus said:
“And he who beholds Me beholds the One who sent Me. (NAS) John 12:45
“Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” (NIV) John 14:9

How incredible to think that God in the flesh, began His life as a baby. . .born into humble surroundings. . . completely dependent upon Mary and Joseph. But, that baby grew up and lived out God’s purpose and returned to the Father. . . “After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” (NIV) Hebrews 1:3

Join me today in worshiping our Mighty King, Jesus Christ!

The Ultimate Re-Arranger of Life

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Christmas reminds us that God is the ultimate re-arranger of lives. God radically rearranged Mary’s life when the angel, Gabriel, visited her. She probably was just entering her teen years. She was looking forward to marriage, to settling down, and to having children with Joseph. But, God had even greater plans for her. Gabriel told her that the Holy Spirit would come upon her, and the power of the Most High would overshadow her. “So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35)

Despite her potential fears, Mary was willing to accept the scorn of an accusatory society and an unbelieving nation. She knew that the penalty for an unmarried, pregnant woman in her culture was to be stoned to death. But, she allowed God to rearrange her life because she grasped the purposes and promises of God. Mary was full of faith, faith in the Mighty One who had done great things for her!

But, the greatest rearrangement of a life is seen in the birth of Jesus. The long-awaited day had finally arrived. The anticipation was high. The angels in heaven surrounding the throne stand in holy awe, for the time had come! Jesus, their beloved Creator, the One who created the angels is about to veil His glory, God’s radiance, and take on human form. Incredibly, the Creator would take on the form of a creature!

An angel of the Lord appeared to a group of shepherds and said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:9-12) Greatest of all surprises, the Messiah came as a baby! This long-expected Messiah was now cradled in a manger in Bethlehem. The angels suddenly broke out in praise saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14)

Their adulation is fitting. In Christ’s birth the incomprehensible happened. The glorious Son of God forsook His splendor in heaven to become one hundred percent human, just as we are. He began His life as a baby. He was born into humble surroundings, completely dependent upon Mary and Joseph. He came down from heaven not to do His own will but to do the will of the Father who sent Him. And that baby grew up and lived out God’s purpose before returning to His Father. “After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” (Hebrews 1:3) Jesus voluntarily allowed the Father to rearrange His “life” and He entered into our world. He did so to become our Savior.

My prayer for you this Christmas is that you experience the peace which transcends all understanding…peace from Jesus Himself, the One who is, who was and who is to come. May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace this Christmas as you trust in Him. May the Prince of Peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. Join me this Christmas season in worshiping our Mighty King, Jesus Christ!

Merry Christmas!
Marji “Mike” Kruger

The Light of Men

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In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. (NIV) John 1:4 & 9

During Christmas time in America the lights are on. Decorations dot the landscape that are ablaze with light. As we approach our fourth week of advent, we anticipate the arrival of the Light of the World. And yet how many people are truly “a-light” with Jesus Christ?

Jesus Christ is the Light of the World. Whoever follows Him “will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. (John 3:19-20)

Jesus said: “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”  (John 12:46)

Jesus said: “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”  (John 9:5)

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; (John 11:25)

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  (John 14:6)

Jesus said: “I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.”  (John 6:47)

There is no greater love than the love we see in God sending His Son to become man. . . and to lay down His life for His friends, for us. In Jesus is life, and that life is the light of men. As Christmas approaches share that Light today with someone who is in the darkness.

Forever Faithful

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Christ will be the incarnate God –
Prophecy: Isaiah 9:6-7 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. (NIV)

Fulfillment: Matthew 1:23 “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”– which means, “God with us.” (NIV)

Christ will be a descendant of Abraham –
Prophecy – Genesis 12:3; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 22:18 Genesis 18:18 Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. (NIV) Genesis 22:18″. . . and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.” (NIV)

Fulfillment – Acts 3:25; Galatians 3:8, 16 Galatians 3:16  The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ. (NIV)

A Prayer: Father, as I work through some of the prophecies concerning Jesus’ birth, I am amazed at the specifics which You gave…and fulfilled. You planned all of it in such a precise manner and fulfilled it to the letter. You are faithful to Your Word. Nothing changes Your plans. When You speak, nothing changes what You say…and therefore, I can rest assured that what You say will happen in my life, will occur. . . Your promises are sure!

Christmas Faith: Joseph

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. . . an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. (NIV) Matthew 1:20-21; 24

The appearance: Mary, who is pledged to be married to Joseph, is pregnant before their marriage.

The options: Joseph could confess that he is not the father and allow Mary to be condemned as an adultress and possibly face death. Or, he could lie and say he was the father.

The reality: Mary was pregnant in a unique and miraculous way – Jesus was virgin born, supernaturally conceived, fulfilling Isaiah 7:14.

The appearance: Mary and Joseph had a illegitimate child. Jesus would have been disqualified from normal worship in the synagogues.
The reality: Jesus is the One who was, who is, and who is to come. . . He alone is worthy of our worship!

Often appearances are the opposite of reality and thus require faith. Joseph demonstrated his faith by believing the reality of what God had said to him rather than believing in the appearance of the situation. For us today, the appearance is that another holiday season has approached. We’ve been taught to say: “Happy Holidays”, not “Merry Christmas”. We plan to spend extra time and money buying gifts. We sing Christmas carols and feel good. But, the reality is that Jesus was indeed the Son of God. He was supernaturally conceived by the Holy Spirit. He lived a sinless life and thus was qualified to become the sin-bearer for the sins of men. Are you celebrating Christmas – are you living your life – according to appearances or reality?

Christmas Faith: Mary

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In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” (NIV) Luke 1:26-28

Have you ever wondered why God chose Mary? Of all the young Jewish girls, why was Mary singled out to be the mother of Jesus? From Luke 1:26-55 we learn that she found favor in God’s eyes, she was fearless, and she was full of faith.

FAVOR WITH GOD
. . . the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God (NIV Luke 1:30). She was highly honored, approved of by God. Mary was the type who “stood out.” She was a good Jew, obedient to God’s laws. And we know that she was a “worship-er” of God (Luke 1:46-55)

FEARLESS
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her (NIV Luke 1:35, 38). She was fearless, willing to accept the scorn of an accusatory society and an unbelieving nation (unmarried, pregnant women were stoned to death in that culture). She was fearless in following God!

FULL OF FAITH
“Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord (NIV Luke 1:45-46). Mary was full of faith, faith in the Mighty One who had done great things for her!

Would God say to you: “You have found favor in My eyes?” How have you been living a life that would be pleasing to God? What are you doing that would not find favor with God? Are you fearless? Willing to fearlessly and boldly do whatever God asks you to do? What is God asking you to do now that you are wavering due to fear? Are you full of faith? Are you familiar with the ways of God? Would others describe you as full of faith or just like everyone else? What do you need to do to increase your faith?

Will you be like Mary. . . fearlessly following God. . . seeking to live a life full of faith. . . and finding favor in God’s eyes? We pray that you will have a wonderful Christmas. . .one that is filled with joy and peace. . .one that is filled with an awe of His presence in your life. . . and one that is filled with favor from on High!