Today, in the concluding section of our series on Christ's Birth, let's dive into the following lessons...
Propagate...
"And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child." (Luke 2:17 ESV) If witnesses (the lowly shepherds) of Jesus' birth could not contain the Good News to themselves and shared it with everyone they met, how much more is the onus on us to share the Good News of His birth. After all, hasn't it resulted in our "rebirth" (See 2 Cor. 5:17/1 Peter 2:24)? We should be oozing with contagious joy -- Jesus Joy -- (See Luke 6:45/John 8:37-39) towards everyone we come across this Christmas season and beyond. Obviously we must do so with love and hu
mility (See 1 Peter 3:15), and after establishing our rapport with them (See 1 Cor. 9:19-23)!
During this season, lovingly tell others about your "rebirth", which was a result of Jesus' birth here on Earth. Rememeber, this was the first witnessing tool the Apostles used for their audiences, followed by sharing the Gospels (See Acts 8:25). Share with everyone and anyone who comes to visit -- secular friends, milk boy, newspaper vendor, internet bill collector -- Anywone! You could also go a step further by gifting them a daily scripture calendar, a Gospel tract or even a a piece of cake, just to sweeten the deal!
However, the "fruit of the spirit", one of which is joy, Jesus Joy (See Gal. 5:22-23), needs to be present within us at all times. This attracts people to our Lord through our lip and lifestyle, and at the same time, He will strengthen us from within in order to prevail (See Rom 15:13)!
Propel...
While praising God during the Christmas season for fulfilling Biblical prophecies regarding our Lord's birth, it would also serve us well to meditate on the Lord's second coming. Pure simple logic states that if all prophecies regarding His first advent were fulfilled at the time of His birth, then prophecy regarding His second advent would also be fulfilled. If the joy of the Bridegroom's friend (John the Baptist) was complete on merely the "Bridegroom's popular Ministry" (See John 3:29-30), then imagine what heights our joy will rise to for our ethereal marriage with our Indescribable Bridegroom!
Soon, those of us who have accepted Christ's gift will be "propelled"-- not by any rocket power, mind you, but by His power -- into the air (See Is. 26:27-28/1 Thess 4:13-17). Signs pertaining to the fulfilment of prophecies of Jesus' second coming are abundant and burgeoning. Pertinent amongst them are the return of ever-growing violence and immorality reminiscent of the days of Noah (See Gen. 6:11/Gen. 19/Luke 17:26-20), which is what Christ foretold would happen before His return.
Come Lord Jesus, soon, to reign not only in our hearts as You did after the First advent, but to usher into Your peaceful and just rule across the entire world!
Prayer: Father even as we rejoice in meditating on the significance of Your Son's First advent, enable us to be alert to His Second advent too even whilst alerting others.
Suresh Manoharan
An unworthy servant
J and SM Ministries
This is the conclusion of the "Lessons From Jesus' Birth" mini-series, as well as the conclusion of the Jesus' Joy focus. If you have missed any of the "Lessons From Jesus' Birth", please click here.
