How Did God Invite Us To The Party?
[blog_subscription_form subscribe_text=“Enter your email to subscribe to notifications from this site”]A Blog Post For The Whole Family To Read…Have you stopped to look at the birthday party that happened in the bible? God throws a party for his son Jesus the night he was born. When God celebrates, let’s just say He is over-the-top. Let’s look at two stories in the bible and see what happens!Luke 2:8-15 NLT paraphrase and Matthew 2:1-12 NLT paraphrase “After a long trip, baby Jesus was born in a stable, Mary his mother, wrapped him in cloth to keep him warm and laid him down to rest. That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid! 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 the city of Bethlehem. You will know it’s him when you see him wrapped tightly in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.”Suddenly the angel was joined by a cast host of others, praising God and saying “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those who whom God is pleased!” When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s go see the baby!”Later, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod, some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose in the sky, and we have come to worship him.” They spoke a little bit more about the new born king with King Herod and then they went their way, and the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them the whole trip and finally it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Then they left to go home.”Angels sang songs! They were songs of praise to God, reminding the shepherds that peace is here, and they can put their hope in baby Jesus. The bible says “all of heavens armies” were praising God! That sounds like a noisy occasion to me, something like a birthday party with little ones involved. How exciting that God let the angels sing songs to invite shepherds to his sons birthday. Then God hangs a star in the sky as an invitation for the wisemen to find the baby as well, and they brought him presents! BEST. DAY. EVER.As a baby, Jesus provided opportunities for communities across the world and across different cultures to celebrate! God is so faithful to keep his word, and the promise everyone was waiting for was JESUS! This Christmas let’s sing songs and open presents with an attitude of joy whether you are opening a gift that is as expensive as gold or if you just get to be with someone special. Jesus is our provider, and he provides the best reason to celebrate! Amen.Who are you celebrating Jesus with this year? Tell me in the comments!
Image provided by Mannahouse Creative Team