THE FIRST CHRISTMAS RUSH

When an angel told the shepherds the good tidings that a Saviour had been born in Bethlehem, they said, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing which has come to pass.”  So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and saw the baby lying in a manger.  This has been called, “The first Christmas rush!” [ Luke 2:1-20 ] 

When the shepherds had finally grasped the good news that God had sent a Saviour into the world, they rushed about telling the glad tidings to as many as possible.  Afterwards they returned, “Glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen as it was told them.”

Just as the shepherds rushed to spread the good news about Jesus, so for centuries Christians have rushed to tell everyone that God’s great Christmas gift is Eternal Life!  He offers this freely to all who turn from their sins and believe with all their hearts that Jesus paid the penalty their sins deserved by dying on the cross.  Just as it would be an insult to try and pay someone for giving us a Christmas present, so God would be insulted if we tried to pay our way to heaven by offering Him our good deeds.

The wonderful news is that Jesus paid the price in full and then rose from the dead!  This means He can now live in our hearts and deliver us from the guilt and grip of sin.  He does this because of His ‘amazing grace!’  When we appreciate this, our response will be gratitude!  This will lead us to ‘seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness’ all our days. [ Matthew 6:33 ]  We shall then hear those wonderful words, “Well done good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”  [ Matthew 25:21 ]