Post by foxjj on Dec 16, 2019 17:16:44 GMT
It was the week before Christmas when Rose and her friend Marge met for a morning at the mall. After a few hours wandering around the stores they stopped by at the coffee shop. While Marge was getting the two coffee’s, Rose found a table by the window. Looking out onto the mall with the shoppers passing, Rose noticed a hand painted silhouette of the nativity, with a Merry Christmas sign painted on the store window across from the coffee shop. When Marge arrived with the coffee’s Rose said, "You go to Church Marg, so let me ask you, why is the old Christmas story still important to so many people, even folks who do not often attend Church? After all isn't the tradition of the child born in a manger to a virgin just a nice story?" Marge took a moment to look across at the nativity scene before responding, "Now that is a very good question Rose. So let me explain why it's important to me."
"Spirituality speaking, humanity was lost and on its way into a dark eternity. They had turned from the God of the Bible, and contrived their own concepts of God as the prophet Isaiah wrote: "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned--every one--to his own way." God could have washed His hands with the human race, leaving each one of us to carry on our own way to eternal destruction. However Rose, the good news is He did not. Instead, Our Heavenly Father promised a Messiah; a Savior who would save us from our sins."
Rose began to listen to her friend with interest as Marge continued, "Isaiah gave another wonderful promise when he wrote; "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." The word Immanuel Rose, means God with us. What a concept! Just think about it Rose, The Creator of the Universe coming into our world. The gospel writer Matthew wrote that Isaiah's prophesy was fulfilled in the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethelhem, confirming that Jesus was born of a virgin." Rose responded with the thoughtful comment, "Interesting Marge, but as yet not very convincing for me."
Marg took a sip of her coffee before continuing, "It's important to understanding Rose, that when the time was right, Jesus came into history in order to make a way for all, including both you and I to attain eternal life. Through the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem, The Spiritual Light came into the darkness of our world, and eternal life for humanity became a possibility."
Sipping her coffee, Rose remained thoughtful as she listened to Marge continue her explanation, "You said that the virgin birth was just a nice story Rose. Let me explain why it's truth is so important. It's important because, if Jesus had been born of the seed of Joseph He would have inherited a sinful nature as all who are born naturally do. Consequently, because He was virgin born, Jesus did not have the need to offer a sacrifice for His sin because, He did not have a sinful nature, thus He was sinless. That being so, Jesus' sacrifice for sin on the cross, was offered, not on His own behalf, but on the behalf of sinful humanity."
Marge finished her explanation by stating, "For most people Rose, this spiritual truth is difficult to perceive. However, because Jesus understands our humanity, He sent the Holy Spirit to aid in our search for spiritual truth. In John chapter 16, Jesus promised that The Holy Spirit would guide you and I into all truth. That is; all of God's truth. To me the message of Christmas is summed up in my favorite scripture: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Marge finished her coffee, giving her friend the opportunity to digest what she had just heard. Finally Rose said, "Well Marge, you have given me a lot to think about. I have never heard anyone explain Christmas in that way before. We will have to talk again, you and I." The two friends parted with the promise of meeting again very soon. Marge's prayer for her friend, was that this year, Rose would experience for herself, the true meaning of Christmas.
Today, let us pray to our Hevenley Father for friends who do not known Jesus as their Savior.
John Joseph Fox.
