LIGHT CAME INTO THE WORLD

(Isa 7:14) "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.

[God with us]

The above prophesy was declared by Isaiah 734 years before the birth of the Christ child, Jesus of Nazareth. The Old Testament is lined with a road map regarding the coming of the Son of God. In the Hebrew text, an allusion to Christ appears in the very first sentence of Genesis 1:1. The Aleph and the Tav, the first and the last. [see John 1:1-4, Rev 22:13]

When my sister and I were growing up, Christmas Eve included our mother sitting in a darkened living room, the family Bible open in her lap. Sis and I would listen quietly as mom would read the story of the birth of Jesus to us. I can hear her voice yet today.

(Luk 2:1-7) Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city.

Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.

While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth,

And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The night of Christ's birth, the very first public announcement of this momentous and Holy event was not to some potentate, governor or king. God saw fit to announce the coming of the Savior to the lowly and poor shepherds of the sheep. It was through the shepherd that the world first learned that the promised King had arrived.

(Luk 2:8-20) In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.

And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

"This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."

When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us."

So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.

The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

As you prepare to celebrate this Christmas Eve, won't you surround yourself with those who you love and read this beautiful scripture to them. Take time to quietly meditate on the scriptural truth, and keep Jesus Christ on your mind and in your heart and praise Him every second of every hour for the balance of your days on this earth.

HAVE YOU SEEN THE LIGHT IN YOUR BIBLE?