You may find it strange to believe that in order to ascertain the true meaning of Christmas you have to go all the way back to Genesis 3:14-15. After Adam disobeyed God and tried to hide from the very presence of God by making aprons of fig leaves and hiding behind the trees of the garden, he found himself in a distant place. When God showed up to meet with Adam, he was out of the designated place. God seeks to bring out of man the truth about what He knew that man had already done to separate himself from God. (This is still happening today.) After Adam and his wife played the blame game with God it is then that God spoke what is called the proto-evangel or the interpretation of that is the first gospel.
The first prophecy in the Bible addresses the coming of Christ. God said to the serpent that he would put enmity or hatred between him and the woman and between his (satan's) seed and her seed. It references that He (Jesus) shall bruise satan's head and that the devil shall bruise his heel. The seed of the woman speaks of the virgin birth that would take place about 4000 years later. The crushing (bruising) of his head speaks of what Christ would accomplish at the cross of Calvary. Jesus would crush the head of satan. The head denotes the strategies and plans of the enemy. This brings us to what Christmas is really all about. The real meaning of Christmas is the fact that God so loved the world that He gave us a gift that had the power to set us free from the powers of darkness. There is no other birth, period, that has been commemorated or celebrated that comes close to the birth of Christ. We celebrate the birthdays of dead presidents, founders of this great nation and, around the world, nations celebrate their kings and rulers. Without comparison, even though He was born in an obscure place and nobody really knew who He was, Jesus' birth is the most celebrated...above all others. Isn't it ironic that the greatest birth occurred in a manger at a time that no one really knew was coming?The one who was born King of the Jews was born in a way that people would not celebrate today. There have been a lot of traditions built around the Christmas season. Some of these holiday traditions are biblical and some of them are not. Even so, it is important to remember the reason for this season that we call Christmas. The reason that we honor His birth is not that He was wrapped in swaddling clothing, but that the plans of the devil have been destroyed: wrapped up in the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. The Bible says, for this cause was the Son of God manifest that He might destroy the works of the devil. I am so grateful that the plans, the strategies, the methods of the devil have been destroyed. That could not have happened without the birth of the Christ child. Merry Christmas: It's all wrapped up!
1 Comment
EyeTaughtThemAll
12/29/2012 07:44:10 pm
Pastor, I have really enjoyed the insights that you have provided with what I call the 'Christmas Series' of lessons featuring Adam, Eve and satan. 'The Pair in the Snare' message was a gift in itself! Thanks for the insight and study passages. And thank you for the reminder: "The real meaning of Christmas is the fact that God so loved the world that He gave us a gift that had the power to set us free from the powers of darkness".
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AuthorPastor Earl Goings shares his thoughts on everyday concerns. Comments Are Welcomed
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