Greetings to you in the name of Christ our King!
Christmas is the time we celebrate the first coming of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, the King of kings.
“The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said to him, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.’ Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet. ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which translated means, ‘God with us.’” (Matthew 1:20-23)
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
This is the greatest news that has ever been given in the history of the world. God, in His grace, reached down to redeem lost souls like you and me, separated from Him by our sins. God the Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay for the penalty of our sins by dying on Calvary’s Cross. God declared Jesus to be His Son by raising Him from the dead. Jesus Christ is now seated at the right hand of God the Father, where He makes intercession on our behalf. He is our advocate with the Father. Jesus proclaimed, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man can come to the Father but through Me.” (John 14:6)
Jesus also said, “I came that you may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10) Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35)
The apostle John gives a wonderful promise in his gospel. “Jesus came to His own and those who were His own did not receive Him, but as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” (John 1:11-12)
Let’s prepare room in our hearts for Jesus this Christmas.
Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Joy to the world, the Savior reigns! Let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room, and heaven and nature sing!
This Christmas, and every day, may Jesus Christ fill you with joy and with the courage to be bold in your Christian faith.
Have a most joyous Christmas season.
God Bless,
Janie & Steve Hotze
