I was going to send out a simple “Merry Christmas” since this goes out on Christmas Eve, but I decided I had to share some thoughts about Jesus that have meant a lot to me during this season. I hope they will bless you.

This following verse plays through my mind at Christmas.

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich” (2 Cor. 8:9 NIV).

In light of this Scripture, let’s remember who Jesus was before the first Christmas, what He gave up,  who Jesus is now, and the glorious future promised to all who receive Him.

Jesus, before the First Christmas—Was Rich

Hundreds of years before Jesus came to earth Isaiah saw Him in His glory (Jn. 12:41). This is how Isaiah describes what he saw.

In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a high and lofty throne. The bottom of his robe filled the temple. Angels were standing above him. Each had six wings: With two they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. They called to each other and said,

‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Armies!
The whole earth is filled with his glory.’

Their voices shook the foundations of the doorposts, and the temple filled with smoke (Isaiah 1:1-4 GW).”

Jesus, at the First Christmas—for Your Sake Became Poor

The same Jesus that Isaiah saw “made himself nothing” and came to earth as a baby that first Christmas and later died a criminal’s death on a cross (Philippians 2:5-11).

She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’” (Luke 2:7-12 NIV).

Jesus Today

Jesus reigns in heaven in indescribable glory.

I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest.  The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades” (Revelation 1:12-18 NIV).

That You Might Become Rich

Before Jesus returned to heaven, He promised He would prepare a place for us in heaven so that we can be with Him (John 14:2-3). Read how the Scripture describes our glorious future with Him.

I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, ‘Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.’

And the one sitting on the throne said, ‘Look, I am making everything new!’ And then he said to me, ‘Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.’ And he also said, ‘It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children'” (Revelation 21:3-6 NLT).

Has Jesus grown beyond the baby in the manger in your life? This Christmas—and every day—let’s rejoice in the One who, “died for us and was raised to life for us, and…is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us” (Romans 8:34 NLT).

Larry and I hope you enjoy the wonder of Jesus this Christmas and everyday throughout the year.

Add your comments here.

Merry Christmas,

Photo by freestocks.org on Unsplash

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#InstaEncouraements, #Recharge Wednesday, #TuneinThursaday, #Dance with Jesus, #FreshMarketFriday, #Grace&Truth, #Faith ‘n Friends