The timeless 19th Century Christmas carol written by William Chatterton Dix asks, “What Child Is This?†The carol goes on to say, “This, this is Christ the King.†We all know that song, and we all know that Christmas is about the Baby Jesus. But we don’t know much about Jesus if that is all we know.
One of my favorite Christmas songs is “This Baby†by Steven Curtis Chapman. The song describes the life of a baby that could represent any baby’s life. However, the difference in “This Baby†is found in the chorus:
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But this Baby made the angels sing
And this Baby made a new star shine in the sky
This Baby had come to change the world
This Baby was God’s own son, this baby was like no other one
This Baby was God with us, this baby was Jesus
The Bible foretold how special this baby would be; the one of which we celebrate Christmas. The Prophet Isaiah told us that this baby would be conceived like no other:
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“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.†(Isaiah 7:14)
It would not be surprising if many had scoffed at Isaiah for such a “silly†statement. How on earth can a virgin conceive and bear a son? On earth, she cannot. However, when heaven intervenes all things are possible.
If that were not enough, this baby would be the Messiah for which all of Israel and mankind longed. This baby would be more than could be expected of one human:
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“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.†(Isaiah 9:6)
We know from reading in Luke 1 that even Mary doubted the prophecy. When the angel Gabriel visited Mary to deliver Jesus’ birth announcement, it was indeed quite the surprise to this teenager. She understandably answered, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?†How indeed Mary! Gabriel told Mary that heaven would make it possible.
By the time Mary delivered the baby and the shepherds had visited her and “made widely known the saying which was told the concerning this Child,†Mary knew all things are possible when heaven intervenes. I love Mary’s reaction compared to the others:
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“And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.†(Luke 2:18-19)
After nine months of carrying heaven’s precious cargo, Mary no longer marveled at what God could do. She knew personally how much He loved the world.
Mary knew that Jesus was God’s own son.
The birth of Jesus made the angels sing.
The birth of Jesus made the shepherds leave the fields and find this baby.
The birth of Jesus and its implications made those who heard of it marvel.
We should not be surprised with the story of Jesus’ birth. God performs miracles. He performed a miracle when He spoke the universe into existence. He performed a miracle when He created man. Most importantly, He performed His greatest miracle through the life, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
God so loved the world.
He so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.
God’s own son.
Do you believe in Him?
Do you have everlasting life or are you perishing?
Eternity awaits your answer. Will you accept the precious gift of God’s own son, or will you reject Him and remain condemned?
In Christ
Dave
Ps. 37:4
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Copyright © 2014 David Jeffers
