AND THE LIGHT CAME FOR YOU AND ME !

It was a time of difficulty and darkness for many people in the land of Israel. The power of Rome had descended upon the people and the land. The power of a tyrannical empire put it’s full weight upon them and they were indeed in a place of fear and hopelessness. The promises of the Prophets of old were indeed all that the people were able to grasp onto, for hundreds of years had passed since God had spoken directly to His People through mankind. It was in the time of Caesar Augustus that a census was demanded in the land, for Rome in all it’s power wanted even more from a people struggling to survive. As the beautiful story of the Birth Of Christ unfolds, it is indeed hard to believe that throughout the years, words the prophets had spoken of had actually Proclaimed the Coming Of The Messiah….and yet, though thirsting for His arrival, and hungering for His deliverance, Mankind was too self absorbed to see exactly what GOD was sending to them, and His True Purpose for His Gift. Throughout the Book Of Isaiah we find prophetic reference to Christ The Messiah, and His character; how He would be perceived by people; the details of His birth and life in such detail that it is astounding to contemplate. Micah the Prophet also provides us with an amazing description of The Birth Of Jesus, and all the incredible things that HE would bring to mankind…in detail…700 years before Jesus was actually born ! IF THIS SEEMS MIRACULOUS, IT INDEED TRULY IS ! Ezekiel 34 describes the coming Messiah as a Shepherd King, which Jesus Himself confirms in John 10:11 - “i am the Good Shepherd.” So many clues, and so many people anxiously awaiting their Messiah….But whom and What were they actually expecting ??? For most people of that timeframe, the Messiah would be a “Politician”, or perhaps a “Warrior King” that would smite their enemies and free them from Tyranny. Little would they know that GOD WOULD SEND HIS ONLY SON TO THEM AS A SMALL HELPLESS BABY; BORN TO LIVE AMONG US; EXPERIENCING ALL THAT MANKIND WOULD GO THROUGH PHYSICALLY, EMOTIONALLY, AND SPIRITUALLY WITH ONE SIMPLE GOAL ! Jesus would take on the Punishment that Mankind Deserved…suffering Death in Our Place, yet Overcoming Death In Resurrection, that WE MIGHT RECONCILE WITH THE FATHER WHO CREATED US AND COME BACK INTO RELATIONSHIP. A PROMISE of Eternal Life In God’s Kingdom ! A Baby Born, that We Too might have New Life !

THIS IS MY SERVANT; I STRENGTHEN HIM, THIS IS MY CHOSEN ONE; I DELIGHT IN HIM. I HAVE PUT MY SPIRIT ON HIM; HE WILL BRING JUSTICE TO THE NATIONS Isaiah 42:1

“ I AM THE LORD. I HAVE CALLED YOU FOR A RIGHTEOUS PURPOSE AND I WILL HOLD YOU BY THE HAND. I WILL WATCH OVER YOU, AND I WILL APPOINT YOU TO BE A COVENANT FOR THE PEOPLE AND A LIGHT TO THE NATIONS.” Isaiah 42:6

LIGHT. A light that will shine upon all of mankind. The birth of Jesus was announced by a blinding light and chorus of angels. HIS LIGHT CAME FOR ALL PEOPLE ! HIS COMING FOR US is the most important part that Christians must understand. ALL of the Religions and Belief Systems of the world are all about Man Seeking Something. Seeking a God; Seeking Self Awareness; Seeking Illumination. Our purpose as Christians is to RECOGNIZE GOD IS COMING AFTER US ! Our Hearts. Our Minds. Our Life…to bring us into HIM :) We live in a world where darkness abounds. It always has and will, until Jesus Christ Returns. BUT, His Birth and initial visit to US brought a NEW LIGHT that would pierce the darkness and open up HIS LIGHT AND KINGDOM TO US ALL ! Throughout the centuries mankind has chosen to reject God, and the consequences have been heavy, as history shows us with endless examples. BUT, we do not have to live in the darkness of the world. WE CAN SEEK THE LIGHT. The goals and ways of the world simply do not align with those of our Creator. The world always offers things that are temporary. Pleasure. Wealth. Possessions and material goods. God offers things that are ETERNAL. Relationship. Love. Peace. Rest. Most of all, Grace and Life ! The things of the world attempt to trap us in Darkness…but GOD brings us INTO THE LIGHT:) He brings us all an Amazing Gift of ReBirth and Holiness in Jesus if we but turn our hearts away from the world and instead give them to HIM !

AGAIN JESUS SPOKE TO THEM, SAYING, “I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. WHOEVER FOLLOWS ME WILL NOT WALK IN DARKNESS, BUT WILL HAVE THE LIGHT OF LIFE. John 8:12

I HAVE COME INTO THE WORLD AS LIGHT, SO THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN ME MAY NOT REMAIN IN DARKNESS, John 12:46

IN THE SAME WAY, LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE BEFORE OTHERS, SO THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS AND GIVE GLORY TO YOUR FATHER WHO IS IN HEAVEN. Matthew 5:16

The Birth Of Jesus was but a moment in time, but the Promise It Gives To Us Is An Eternal Lifetime. This day, search your heart, and make the decision to BE IN THE LIGHT. Find your Life In Jesus, and accept Him as your Savior, Lord, and King. Nothing we have thought, or done, or become mired down in is too big for His Grace And Love To Overcome:) Lift up your eyes to Heaven….YOUR LIGHT IS SHINING. …NOW GO AND SHARE IT ! BE IN THE LIGHT/JAA

OF DAVID. THE LORD IS MY LIGHT AND MY SALVATION; WHOM SHALL I FEAR ? THE LORD IS THE STRONGHOLD OF MY LIFE; OF WHOM SHALL I BE AFRAID ? Psalm 27:1