How Will You Recognize Him?

Dear Friends,

If someone asked you to explain the message of Christmas in a nutshell — quickly and to the point — what would you say? A good place to start might be the story of the shepherds. On the night of Jesus birth, some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly an angel appeared among them, and the landscape shone bright with the glory of the Lord. They were badly frightened, but the angel reassured them.

“Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born tonight in Bethlehem! How will you recognize him? You will find a baby wrapped in a blanket, lying in a manger!”  Luke 9-12 (TLB)

The Christmas message in a nutshell is that the birth of Jesus was the most joyful news ever announced. That night in Bethlehem, the Lord made a personal appearance, starting a chain of events that would lead to salvation for everyone who recognizes him as Lord and Savior.

Notice the question that the angel answered before the shepherds even had a chance to ask it: “How will you recognize him?” That’s a question we need to ask ourselves, as we prepare to celebrate Jesus birth. During the Christmas season our lives can become so busy we miss the significance of Immanuel – God with us. The book of John helps us recognize the true nature of baby Jesus.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-5 (NIV)

Jesus gave us a pathway to adoption into the family of God and the guarantee of eternal life. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12 (NIV)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (KLV)

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 (NIV)

The final stanza of the Christmas carol Mary, Did You Know? reminds us just who that baby in the manger really was. He was and is our life-giving, all-powerful, and personal Lord and Savior who came into our world as a light in our darkness. He’s just waiting for us to recognize him.

“Mary, Did You Know?”
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your Baby Boy is heaven’s perfect Lamb?
The sleeping Child you’re holding is the great “I am”

Blessings,
Your Friends in Christ