Christmas Message – He Dwells Among Us
24th December 2022
In the lead up to Christmas we have been watching lots of Christmas films and we have gone to Christmas markets and we enjoyed them. But they have got nothing to do with the birth of the Saviour of the world, Jesus. We have reminisced about our childhood experiences at Christmas and the traditions we took part in and they were very enjoyable. But they had nothing to do with the birth of Jesus. We still enjoy all of the usual Christmas activities such as the giving of presents and cards, eating festive foods and spending time with family and friends. But they have got nothing to do with Jesus.
Christmas is supposed to be a celebration of the birth of Jesus but what happens in reality has got nothing to do with Him. After all Jesus was not born on the 25th December. In fact, we don’t know when He was born but we do know that He was born just over 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem. And the day He was born is one of the most important days in human history because that day a saviour was born. Now that’s worth celebrating!
Because of the sin of Adam in the Garden of Eden, mankind was cut off from God and was hopelessly lost. But God is so loving that He made sure that it wasn’t going to stay that way. He had a rescue plan and it started with the birth of His only begotten Son, Jesus. He sent His sinless son, born of a virgin, into our sinful world to dwell among us. Jesus is clean and holy, yet He came and lived in our filthy, sinful world. God is not aloof and uncaring; He is close and compassionate. He created us and He cares deeply about us. That is our God.
Above all else, God wants to have fellowship with us just as He did with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. He wants to be intimately close to us, to converse with us and to have a loving relationship with us. That’s why He sent His Son into our world over 2,000 years ago and for those who believe in Him, Jesus is still dwelling amongst us. He dwells in our hearts. Do you believe in Jesus? Do you have Him in your heart. If you do, then that is what you should be celebrating this Christmas. If not, why not?
Peace be with you.
Mike and Suzanne Ashton