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Today I want to look at why we celebrate a Mass for Christ. Who is this baby whose birth we celebrate?
The promise of the miracle Baby:
ISA 9:6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. ISA 9:7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.
The fulfillment of the promise:
Luke 1:34 And Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy offspring shall be called the Son of God. Luke 1:36 "And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. Luke 1:37 "For nothing will be impossible with God." Luke 1:38 And Mary said, "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.
The birth of the Baby:
Luke 2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, Luke 2:5 in order to register, along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. Luke 2:6 And it came about that while they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. Luke 2:7 And she gave birth to her first-born son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
The formal naming of the Baby:
Luke 2:21 And when eight days were completed before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.
The Baby grows up:
Luke 2:40 And the Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.
The Man begins His ministry:
Matt 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
The Man is crucified:
Luke 23:33 And when they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.
The Man dies:
Luke 23:46 And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, "Father, into Thy hands I commit My spirit." And having said this, He breathed His last.
The Man is buried:
Luke 23:50 And behold, a man named Joseph, who was a member of the Council, a good and righteous man Luke 23:51 (he had not consented to their plan and action), a man from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who was waiting for the kingdom of God; Luke 23:52 this man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Luke 23:53 And he took it down and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid Him in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had ever lain.
The Man is resurrected:
Luke 24:1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared. Luke 24:2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, Luke 24:3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. Luke 24:4 And it happened that while they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling apparel; Luke 24:5 and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living One among the dead? Luke 24:6 "He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, Luke 24:7 saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. "
The Man is God:
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:2 He was in the beginning with God. John 1:3 All things came into being by Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. John 1:4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. John 1:5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
The God-Man lived with us:
John 1:14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
All of this so that we might become children of God:
John 1:12 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 1:13 who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
The critical double imputation:
Is Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior? If so then you have so much to celebrate this Christmas of 1999. If not then you can accept Him as your Lord and Savior right now.
Web Author: Dr. Leon L. Combs
Copyright ©2000 by Dr. Leon L. Combs - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED