Abundant Life Christian Fellowship

Christmas is just 10 days away and when we think of the first Christmas, we think of the birth of Jesus. But that is not when Jesus began because He has no beginning or end. He is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. But there was a time when God decided to descend from Heaven to Earth and be born in a manger as a helpless infant. Isaiah 9:6 says it like this  “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. and His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

From our perspective a child was born but from God’s perspective in Heaven, a Son was given. Notice this verse gives us these names for Jesus: “Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Jesus is God, and God became a man. We call the birth of Christ the Incarnation. But there were pre-incarnate appearances of Jesus in the Old Testament. Once was when someone said to Jesus, “Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Who do You make Yourself out to be?” (John 8:53). Jesus answered, “Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to My coming. He saw it and was glad” (verse 56). Then He added, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I am!” (verse 58).

We can find Jesus in the Old Testament not in name, but in His appearances. But then one day God came to Earth as a Child, who became a man, who died on the cross and rose from the grave. He always has been there. And He will be there to the very end. Jesus said, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  (Matthew 28:20).

Christmas will soon be here and retailers can’t wait for you to spend your money. But the real message of the Christmas season is not presents; it is His presence. I encourage you to receive a new presence of Jesus in your life. And if you have not received Him as your Savior, do so today.

 Pastor Dave