Christmas is a season of spiritual reflection on the foundations of the Christian faith. It is also a celebration of the arrival of Jesus. Christmas is a time for Christians to praise God’s love for the world through the birth of the Christ child: Jesus. The Bible tells of His birth hundreds of years before, fulfilling prophecies from the Old Testament.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6 ESV).

The Nativity of Jesus Christ

The Birth of Jesus Christ ~ Luke 2:1-7 (ESV)

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Angels Visit the Shepherds

The Shepherds and the Angels ~ Luke 2:8-21 (ESV)

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”

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 among those with whom he is pleased!” “ When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

The Three Wise Men

The Visit of the Wise Men ~ Matthew 2:1-12 (ESV)

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'” Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.”

After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Bible Meaning of Christmas

The Word Became Flesh ~ John 1:1-18 (ESV)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.

He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the father, full of grace and truth.

John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.” Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

Jesus Announces the Good News ~ Mark 1:14-15 (ESV)

After John (Baptist) was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” At this time, I will open the doors of Discipleship for you to have the opportunity to invite the Lord Jesus Christ into your life!

Lead Me To Jesus Moment:

Today I will share with you this simple prayer of salvation:

The sinner’s prayer is a Christian term for a prayer that is said when someone wants to repent of their sin, ask God for forgiveness, and state belief in the life, death, and saving resurrection of Jesus Christ. Romans 10:9-10 says that “if you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” At this time, please repeat after me:

Lord, I admit I am a sinner. I need and want Your forgiveness. I accept Your death as the penalty for my sin, and recognize that Your mercy and grace is a gift

You offer to me because of Your great love, not based on anything I have done!

Cleanse me and make me Your child. By faith, I receive You into my heart as the Son of God and as Savior and Lord of my life. From now on, help me live for You, with You in control.!

***TODAY I CHOOSE TO LIVE A GODLY LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS AND MY LORD & SAVIOR!!! In Your precious name, AMEN

If you have prayed this prayer of salvation. You are now a follower of Jesus Christ. Welcome to the family of God! We encourage you to find a local church so that you can grow in the knowledge of God through His word, the bible. You can also access additional resources at www.viewpointministriesinternational.org/resources

1 John 4:13, (ESV) By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. Colossians 3:1-3, ESV If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

In a nutshell, abiding in Christ means allowing His Word to fill our minds, direct our wills, and transform our affections. In other words, our relationship to Christ is intimately connected to what we do with our Bibles!

I bring you GOOD NEWS today!

Christ Lives and his comforting Holy Spirit is with us leading & guiding us as believer’s each day. Well, we find the words “royal priesthood” tucked away in 1 Peter 2:9: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

Finally, I will Share with you 93 scriptures today on who we are in Christ!

Who I Am In Christ

I am:

1. A child of God (Romans 8:16)
2. Forgiven (Colossians 1:13;14)
3. Saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8)
4. Justified (Romans 5:1)
5. Sanctified (Heb. 13:12)
6. Redeemed from the hand of the enemy (Psalms 107:2)
7. Redeemed from the curse of the law (Gal 3:13)
8. A new creature (II Cor. 5:17)
9. The temple of the Holy Spirit (I Cor. 6:19)
10. Delivered from the power of darkness (Col. 1:13)
11. Led by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14) 11.
12. A son of God (Romans 8:14)
13. A saint (Romans 1:7)
14. The head and not the tail (Deut. 10:13)
15. Kept in safety wherever I go (Psalms 91:10,11)
16. Getting all my needs met by Jesus (Philippians 4:19)
17. Casting all my cares on Jesus (1 Peter 5:7)
18. Strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (Eph. 6:10)
19. Doing all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)
20. An heir of God and joint heir with Jesus (Romans 8:17)
21. Heir to the blessing of Abraham (Gal. 3:13,14)
22. Holy and without blame before Him (I Peter 1:16)
23. Victorious (Rev. 21:7)
24. Set free (John 8:31-33)
25. Sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise (Eph. 1:13)
26. Accepted in the beloved (Eph. 1:6)
27. Complete in Him (Col 2:10)
28. Crucified with Christ (Gal. 2:20)
29. Alive with Christ (Eph. 2:5)
30. Free from condemnation (Rom 8:1)
31. Reconciled to God (II Cor. 5:18)
32. Observing and doing the Lord’s commandments (Deut. 28:1)
33. Blessed coming in and blessed going out (Deut. 29:6)
34. An heir of eternal life (I John 5:11,12)
35. Blessed with all spiritual blessings (Eph 1:3)
36. Healed by His stripes (I Peter 2:24)
37. Exercising my authority over the enemy (Luke 10:19)
38. Above only and not beneath (Deut. 28:13)
39. More than a conqueror (Rom. 8:37)
40. Establishing God’s Word here on earth (Matthew 16:19)
41. An overcomer by the blood of the Lamb (Rev. 12:11)
42. An overcomer by the word of my testimony (Rev. 12:11)
43. Daily overcoming the devil (I John 4:4)
44. Firmly rooted, built up, established in my faith (Col. 2:7)
45. Circumcised with the circumcision made without hands (Col. 2:11)
46. A fellow citizen with the saints (Eph 2:19)
47. Built upon the foundation of Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:20)
48. In the world as He is in heaven (I John 4:17)
49. Born of God and the evil one does not touch me (I John 5:18)
50. His faithful follower (Eph. 5:1)
51. His disciple because I have love for others (John 13:34, 35)
52. The salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13)
53. Called of God (II Tim. 1:9)
54. Not moved by what I see (II Cor. 4:18)
55. Walking by faith and not by sight (II Cor. 5:7)
56. Casting down vain imaginations (II Cor. 10:4,5)
57. Bringing every thought into captivity (II Cor. 10:5)
58. Being transformed by renewing my mind (Romans 12:1.2)
59. A laborer together with God (I Cor. 3:9)
60. The righteousness of God in Christ (11 Cor. 5:21)
61. An imitator of Jesus (Eph. 5:1)
62. The light of the world (Matthew 5:14)
63. Blessing the Lord at all times (Psalm 34:1)
64. Dead to sin but alive unto righteousness (I Peter 2:24)
65. Chosen (I Thess. 1:4)
66. An ambassador for Christ (II Cor. 5:20)
67. God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:10)
68. Created in God’s image and I am very good (Gen. 1:31)
69. The apple of My Father’s eye (Deut. 32:10)
70. Being changed into His image (I Cor. 3:18)
71. Raised up with Christ and seated in heavenly places (Col. 2:12)
72. Beloved of God (Col. 3:12)
73. One in Christ! (John 17:21-23)
74. Fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps. 139:14)
75. Christ’s friend (John 15:15)
76. A slave of righteousness (Romans 6:18)
77. Chosen & appointed by Christ to bear His fruit (John 15:16)
78. United to the Lord and one spirit with Him (1 Cor. 6:17)
79. Enslaved to God (Romans 6:22)
80. The true vine, a channel of Christ’s life (John 15:1,5)
81. A son of God and one in Christ (Gal. 3:26,28)
82. Hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3)
83. A son of light and not of darkness (I Thessalonians 5:5)
84. A member of Christ’s body (I Cor. 12:17; Eph 5:30)
85. Chosen of God, holy and beloved (Col. 3:12)
86. A holy partaker of a heavenly calling (Heb. 3:1)
87. An expression of the life of Christ – He is my life (Col. 3:4)
88. An enemy of the devil (I Pet. 5:8)
89. Will resemble Christ when He returns (I John 3:1,2)
90. An alien and stranger to this temporary world (I Pet. 2:11)
91. A living stone, being built up in Christ as a spiritual house (I Peter 2:5)
92. A partaker of Christ, I share His life (Heb. 3:14)
93. A member of a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession (I Peter 2:9,10)

Benediction:

Numbers 6:24-25 The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!! Merry Christmas!!!

Thank you for your time.  

Message Delivered by Rev. Eric Gregory, December 25, 2022

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