Saturday, December 17, 2016

What Is Christmas About?

Jesus was born of a virgin (God let Mary and her intended husband Joseph know what was happening by way of an angel).

After they traveled to Bethlehem due to a census, Jesus was born and was placed in a manger (as there was no room available for them inside the inn).
Shepherds had angels appear and tell them about His birth, and they came and found Him.

Later on, when Joseph and Mary were with Jesus in a house, wise men (we don't know how many) from the east came to offer gifts (after first going to Herod).
Then Herod wanted Him dead, so he decided to have male kids under a certain age put to death.
Joseph was warned in a dream, and they left that area.

Jesus lived a sinless life (2 Corinthians 4:21), taught the people, performed many miracles (Acts 2:22), was hated by many religious leaders, and He willingly suffered and died undeservedly on a Roman cross (betrayed by Judas and falsely accused by religious leaders).

He took the punishment of sins of all who would ever believe.
Jesus willingly took God's wrath on the cross for undeserving sinners (Colossians 2:13-14).
He was laid in a tomb, and in 3 days He rose from the grave in victory.
Death and sin were defeated.
He appeared to many who believed, and He ascended to Heaven before many witnesses (1 Corinthians 15:3-8).

Those who repent of sin & turn to faith in Christ will be saved from slavery to sin (Romans 6:18; 1 Peter 2:24) and the deserved punishment of eternity in Hell.
They will be forgiven and declared righteous as if they had lived Christ's life....
their sins having been placed on Him.
They are adopted as children of God...born again from above.
They have the Spirit to indwell them.
They will have eternal life, and they will spend eternity with the Lord - happily serving Him.

Those who do not believe will be resurrected, but then they will face the justice of the wrath of God & an eternity in Hell.
They will be held accountable for sins.  They will not be forgiven.  There will be no second chance (Hebrews 9:27).

You can read a clear description of the GOSPEL here.

All who will believe have been chosen before the foundation of the world.
It's amazing!  We don't deserve it!
For those of us who are given faith in Jesus, Heaven will be beyond what we can imagine.
John had a peek.  You can find that in the book of Revelation.
The Bible is where we learn what God has to say to us.  He gave His words to men to write down.
I hope that you will read it!

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