When God created the first man He called all of heaven to join Him as He gathered the dust of the ground and formed and shaped Adam with His hands. Jesus, Holy Spirit, and all the angels watched in amazement as God then leaned over and breathed His very breath into man’s lungs and Adam became a living being. The woman too, God took His hands and reached into Adam and drew out a rib with which He formed Eve. All other creation God spoke into being, but man was lovingly shaped by God’s very own hands, created in His own image. Adam received his first breath through God’s own mouth. God placed Adam and Eve in a garden of perfection, the Garden of Eden, where they all enjoyed walking and talking together. Adam and Eve had everything they needed, experienced no guilt, and knew no shame.
That was all Adam and Eve knew; perfect love, truth, and intimacy with God, their Creator.
Until the day evil entered the garden…
Satan, the liar, brought to God’s creation another voice.
Another choice.
Satan had also enjoyed the presence of God. Lucifer, as he once was called, was created by God, a beautiful covering angel who worshipped God and walked upon the fiery stones of heaven. But one day evil was found in Lucifer. One day pride rose up in him and he wanted to be worshipped instead of the worshipper he was created to be. He wanted to be like God. And because God will not share His glory with any other, Lucifer was cast out of heaven, down to earth.
And so, it was this same evil that came into the perfect Garden of Eden.
That same lie, “you will be like God…”
The lie that says, “Is God really worthy of your worship? Wouldn’t you rather be worshipped?”
The lie enticed…
The lie was embraced…
The lie replaced the truth…
The lie brought disobedience to God’s command…sin
Sin brought guilt and shame.
Sin brought death to the relationship between man and his Creator.
That evil, that sin nature, has been passed on to all God’s creation.
But God so loved the world…
God had a plan from the beginning, when sin first entered man. That plan was to restore relationship, and to defeat the enemy, the liar, Satan.
There in the Garden of Eden God set His plan into motion and there is a Crimson Thread that runs through the Bible that shows God’s love for His creation. It was a plan of redemption so that the relationship and the fellowship that God intended for His creation would be restored.
Love came down from heaven on Christmas Day!
The prophet Isaiah spoke of a child, a son that was to be born. He would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. He would rule with fairness and justice, forever. The Lord of heaven’s armies would make it happen! (Isaiah 9:6-7) Isaiah spoke of this 700 years before the birth of Jesus. God gave His people a promise, a hope, that He had Good News that would be to all people.
In God’s perfect timing.
When the world was dark and God’s voice was silent…
On that first Christmas night I believe a holy hush fell upon heaven, as all joined together and waited in suspense, in anticipation, to see the Wonder of Love sent down to earth!
Love that would once again breathe life into God’s creations that had died that day in the Garden of Eden.
Love that would restore relationship between God and all whom He lovingly created with His own hands.
Something new and different was about to happen. God’s Love was about to be demonstrated in a miraculous way. The Love of God was about to come to earth, to take on flesh and blood, to live among the people.
Jesus came down at Christmas, born to bring us Life!
“That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”Luke 2:8-12
God’s Love is Good News!!
God’s Love casts out all fear!!
God’s Love brings great joy!!
Why the shepherds? Why were they the first ones to hear the Good News? Those who were outside and alone on a cold dark night, doing a menial job, away from the warmth and comfort of home?
In many ways the shepherds represent all people. Sin has kept us outside, and alone in the dark of night. Sin has kept us away from the warmth and comfort of a relationship with our heavenly Father.
God’s Good News is for all people!
You may be in a cold, dark place,
You may feel alone, even during this time of “Happy Holidays,”
You may be far from the warmth and comfort of family and friends.
“The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood…What came into existence was Life, and the life was Light to live by.” John 1:14,4 MSG
Christmas! The Love of God come to earth as a Babe in a manger. The Light of God come onto this dark world. The Life of God given to all who believe. This Christmas may you know the Good News that came to the shepherds on that first silent and holy night…Good News of Great Joy, a Savior is born, He is Christ the Lord! No longer a Babe in a manger, but the Savior of the world who now sits at the right hand of God the Father. He no longer knocks on the doors of houses, but on the doors of human hearts, longing to be welcomed inside to bring Love, to bring Light, and to Live with you forever!
God comes to say to you,
“Hear the Good News of Love come down at Christmas! For I so loved you that I sent My One and only Son. If you believe in Him you will not die, but you will live and have Life with Me forever!
Thank you for joining me on this journey through life to learn the ways the enemy means for harm, but that God intends for good!! May you realize the amazing good God intends for you in the Love that came down from heaven as you celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!! – Wilma