At Christmas

"GLORY TO GOD in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men" (Luke 2:14).

The air is filled with thrilling joy, worshipful praise, and hopeful expectancy! Christmastime is the glorious celebration of the Lord's birth into the world to bring salvation to all mankind(Matt. 1:21).

The Lord Jesus was born of a virgin to identify Himself with mankind (Heb. 2:14). The Word became sinless flesh to fulfill God's perfect will and to redeem us from the blighting curse of sin (John 1:14).

In His divine plan and purpose, the greatest Giver, gave the greatest Gift of His Son to the world and established a beachhead upon the shores of mankind to conquer the hearts of men for Himself (John 3:16; 2 Cor. 9:15).

At that first Christmastime the Lord Jesus came as the Fairest of ten thousand. Co-eternal and co-equal with the Father from all eternity (John 17:5). JESUS is the grand Theme of the Bible. Every book of the Bible points to the Lord Jesus, to extol His matchless Person, to honor His sinless character and to magnify His redemptive grace (John 5:39; Rom. 3:24; 4:25).

Jesus is the Almighty Creator(John 1:3), Preserver of the Heavens and earth (Col. 1:16). Jesus is also the Lord and Sovereign of the whole universe (Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3). In the Old Testament prophecies anticipated Christ's coming.The New Testament announced Him. The Old Testament planned for His coming. The New Testament proclaimed His coming to bring God down to man so that He might take man up to God by the way of the cross (John 19:30; 1 Cor. 1:23).

• In the Books of Moses (Genesis-Deuteronomy), we see Christ in Creation in power and great glory.

• In the historical books (Joshua-Esther), we see our wonderful Lord as the central Figure of history.

• In the poetical books (Job-Song of Solomon," we see Christ in adoration, wonder and praise as the soul is uplifted in the blessed exercise of worship.

• In the books of the Prophets (Hosea-Malachi), Christ is presented as the coming Savior, Lord and Master (Acts 16:30-31).

• In the Gospels (Matthew-John), we behold Christ in manifestation, making known God's wonderful love, for He is King (Matt. 1:1; 27:46), Servant hMark 10:45), Sinless Man (Luke 19:10), Son of God (John 1:34)

• In the book of Acts, Christ is the Head of the Church, giving to it life and direction (Acts 2:22-24).

• In the Epistles (Romans-Hebrews), we behold our Lord in demonstration of His grace, love and mercy (Eph. 2:2-9; 1 John 4:8; Tit. 3:5)

• In the book of Revelation, we see our Lord in consummation, enthroned, according to God's own plan and purpose for Israel and the nations, as "KINGS of KINGS and LORD of LORDS" (Psalm 2:1-12; Rev. 19:16).

What a glorious prospect for the people of God in this hour of great crisis and confusion! Let us rejoice with praise and thanksgiving to our Lord at this Christmastime.