THE STAR

The great astronomer Kepler discovered that in Christ's birth year there was an unusual occurrence among the planets.

He found that in that year Jupiter & Saturn, which are generally in remote parts of the sky, came three times so near together that to the unassisted eye the rays of one were absorbed by the other, & their combination gave an extraordinary brilliant light, which continued for some months.

- F. B. Meyer. (moreillustrations.com)

Mat 2:1-2 (GNV): “When Jesus then was born at Bethlehem in Judea, in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came Wise men from the East to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is the King of the Jews that is born? for we have seen his star in the East, and are come to worship him.”

“The Bible is to us what the star was to the wise men; but if we spend all our time in gazing upon it, observing its motions, and admiring its splendor, without being led to Christ by it, the use of it will be lost to us.” -  Thomas Adams.

THE GOOD SHEPHERD

In a survey, nearly a third of those questioned stated, that of all the persons mentioned in the Christmas story, they identified the most with the shepherds. The shepherds were average, ordinary people & were invited to see the birth of the King of kings!

- (ministry127.com)

“If sheep do not have the constant care of a shepherd, they will go the wrong way, unaware of the dangers at hand. They have been known to chew themselves right off the side of a mountain. And so, because sheep are sheep, they need shepherds to care for them. The welfare of sheep depends solely upon the care they get from their shepherd. Therefore, the better the shepherd, the healthier the sheep.” -  Kay Arthur.

“I am the good shepherd,” Jesus continued. “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (Jn 10:11, NTE).

“Our Good Shepherd has become the model for under-shepherds. His great concern is the good of the sheep. A good shepherd gives himself to the sheep. A thief comes to get something form the flock - wool or mutton. Jesus, our Lord, made every personal claim committed to the blessing of His flock; even to giving His life that they might live.” -  Walter J. Chantry.

THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS

In January of 1956, Jim Elliot & 4 other missionaries gave their lives in Ecuador in their effort to reach the Waodani (Auca) Indians.

This fierce group was known to attack any outsiders, but the vision for reaching them with the gospel compelled these young men to take the risk.

Not long after they set up camp near the Waodani village they were attacked by warriors. Refusing to defend their lives with force, the missionaries were killed.

The news flashed around the world & the story of courage & sacrifice challenged many to take up the missionary cause.

Even today Elliot’s words live on: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

In a very real sense, Jim Elliot & his missionary friends were living the spirit of Christmas.

They were willing to give up the comforts of home & promising careers & to ultimately lay down their lives to take the gospel to those who had never heard. They could have fought back to defend themselves, but they chose not to.

This is what Jesus did for us in coming to Earth. Paul wrote:

“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).

Nothing of lasting significance & importance for God is ever accomplished without great sacrifice. Whether it is our time, our talent, our treasure, or even our lives, we must be willing to give up what is temporary for the sake of what is eternal. When we do, we are following the example & pattern of Christ & walking in His steps.

Source: Jim Elliot, Kathleen White (ministry127.com)

WHAT STOPPED THE FIRING?

A day was dawning on a battlefield in Northern France, through a fog so thick that no one could see more than a few yards from the trenches.

In the night the Germans had drawn back their lines a little & the French had gone forward, but between the two positions a lonely farmhouse was still standing.

As the sun rose, heavy guns began to boom. But suddenly on both sides the firing ceased & there fell a strange, dead silence.

For there in the green meadow, crawling on hands & knees was a little baby who appeared perfectly happy & contented, and the baby's laugh was heard.

Not a shot was fired.

- Sunday School Times. (moreillustrations.com)

The birth of Christ brought about PEACE - peace between God & man and man & man - for all who accept Him.

Isa 9:6 (CEB): “A child is born to us, a son is given to us, and authority will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”

“The Christmas message is that there is hope for a ruined humanity - hope of pardon, hope of peace with God, hope of glory - because at the Father's will Jesus became poor, and was born in a stable so that thirty years later He might hang on a cross.” - J.I. Packer.