Chapter 25 – Jesus is the Reason for the Season.
Each Christmas we display the lighted Nativity display on our front porch, that you see in the picture below. A few years ago, as I was just finishing installing the Jesus sign, a neighbor man happened to be walking by on the sidewalk. He stopped and shouted in a loud voice “J E S U S!!!!!” Let me tell you that it was not said in a very respectful manner.
I responded with “That’s right… after all, He is the reason for the Season!” The neighbor man then in a softer more respectful tone responded with “well… I guess you’re right there.” It was at that very moment that I realized how blessed we are in this country during the Christmas season! We are able to put out Christmas displays that honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. After all, the first six letters of Christmas does spell Christ!
| Jesus is the Reason for the Season! |
Just a couple days ago as I was watching television, I heard President-Elect Trump say that it is once again okay to say Merry Christmas! I realize that not everyone in the United States is a Christian. However, contrary to what some factions would have us believe, we are, and I hope and pray that we continue to be, a Christian nation! May we always be a nation where we can openly worship the Lord and proudly display His name for all to see!
Over 700 years before Jesus was born, the Prophet Isaiah prophesied his birth, and we still worship Him today!
Isaiah 9:6–7 (ESV)
6For 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. 7Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Here is a little bit of information that I just looked up regarding the name Jesus and it’s meaning that I thought you might enjoy:
The name Jesus comes from the Hebrew name Yeshua, which is a combination of the words YA and Yasha:
- Ya – An abbreviation for Yahweh, the name of Israel’s God.
- Yasha – A verb meaning “rescue, deliver, or to save.”
So… the Name Jesus summarizes who Jesus is and what He came to do on earth. It signifies that the name of God is present in the person of Jesus, who came to redeem people from their sins.
Our family has a tradition on Christmas Eve: before we open presents, we read the Christmas story of the birth of the Christ Child. That always helps us remember “The Reason for the Season!” I realize that Christmas was a couple of days ago, but I thought you might appreciate reflecting back on the Reason for the Season:
Luke 2:1–21 (ESV)
1In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4And 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, 5to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 8And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 15When 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.” 16And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. 21And 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.
Matthew 2:1–12 (ESV)
1Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2saying, “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.” 3When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 6“ ‘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.’ ” 7Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8And 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.” 9After 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. 10When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11And 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. 12And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
We pray that God will bless you and yours with a very Happy and Prosperous New Year!
Mike & Shirley