12/25: ADVENT READINGS:

Read Luke 2:1-20; John 1:1-18.

CHRISTMAS DAY

In 1970, Bill and Gloria Gaither had recently become first-time parents. One night, their child spiked a high fever, and they huddled around the young child and began calling on the name of Jesus, the Great Physician, to heal their child. Shortly after that experience, they wrote a short song entitled, “ There’s Something About That Name.” The lyrics read,

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus; there's just something about that name.

Master, Savior, Jesus, like the fragrance after the rain;

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, let all Heaven and earth proclaim

Kings and kingdoms will all pass away,

But there's something about that name.

Kings and kingdoms will all pass away,

But there's something about that name.

Today is Christmas; it is the day in which we celebrate and worship the One who left the splendor of heaven, the One who humbled Himself and was born a baby. Today, we celebrate, magnify, and worship Jesus. 

The Bible tells us that Jesus is part of the Godhead, the Holy Trinity. Jesus has always existed and will always exist. He was part of creation and has seen all that has ever happened in this world. He even shows up on the earth before He was born in the stable; we call this a Christophany. When Jesus was born, He was God in flesh, truly God and truly man. Jesus never once sinned as the God-man, making Him an acceptable sacrifice for the sins of the world. It is because Jesus lived the life you and I could not live and died the death you and I deserved that we can have a relationship with God the Father and one day be in His presence forever. 

If you have been a Christian for any amount of time, I am sure you know all those things to be true but my prayer for you this Christmas day is for you to walk in those truths, today of all days. I love all the traditions, the nostalgia, the family time, and even the gifts under the tree but my aim and my hope is to love Jesus more. To be intentional about making time to meditate of the beautiful, wonderful, powerful name of Jesus. To speak Jesus from the mountains, in the streets, in the darkness, and over my family. Because His name is power, healing, and life. It breaks strongholds and shines through the shadows and one day every knee in heaven and earth will bow before the mighty name of Jesus. 

This is the One in whom we celebrate, magnify, and worship today. 

I pray that you choose to make today a holy day instead of a holiday and that the name that is above every other name will rule in and reign in your heart as your recall and remember the Bringer of hope, the Prince of Peace, the One who brings tidings of great joy, and the One who loves you with an unconditional, sacrificial love, JESUS. Merry Christmas!

(Written by Josh Ness)