Luke 1:26-33 (NIV)
1:26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,
27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary.
28 The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.
31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.
32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,
33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."
Christmas is about many things: decorations, lights, candy and cookies, gatherings with friends, children's pageants in church, carol sings, Christmas movies and Santa Claus, and the list goes on and on. Yet, as I read the words of Gabriel I'm reminded that first and foremost of all, Christmas is about the Kingdom of God. The angel Gabriel came announcing, Luke 1:32-33 (NIV)
1:32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,
33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."
The prophet Isaiah had said it first: Isaiah 9:7 (NIV)
9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
And the book of Revelation reminds us that God "wraps it all up" it will still be about the Kingdom of God: Revelation 19:11-16 (NIV)
19:11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war.
12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself.
13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.
14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.
15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.
16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Here is the reminder of what Christmas is all about. It was God's entry into the world, "Immanuel" = "God with us", and in his coming Jesus reminds us that "...the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand." Many years ago we use to sing "The King is Coming, The King is Coming..." Well, he is!
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