Two thousand years ago,
that night in Bethlehem, a town situated in the Judean Hills, five miles south
of Jerusalem, was the most beautiful night in the history of the world. The
myriads of twinkling stars that adorned the heavens added splendour to that
night. The wondrous divine glory shined in that night, as a prelude to the most
historical event that would visit the earth that day. Never in the history of
the creation of man had occurred such a glorious event, that God would come
down on the earth in human flesh and dwell amongst us!
Caesar Augustus, the Emperor of Rome
issued a decree for conducting a census. Because of the royal decree, Joseph
and Mary, his betrothed wife had to travel to Bethlehem all the way from
Nazareth although Mary was heavy with Child by miraculous conception. Thus,
through the decree of Caesar Augustus, God fulfilled His divine decree that the
Saviour of the world would be born in Bethlehem Ephrata, as prophesied long ago
(Micah 5:2).
“And Mary brought forth her firstborn Son,
Jesus, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because
there was no room for them in the Inn”; as people from all over the land poured
into Bethlehem for the census (Luke 2:7).
Not far away from the city of David, the
shepherds were keeping watch over their flock in Galilee that night. As the
shepherds kept watch over their flock, they were wonder-struck at the sight of
an angel of the LORD, as the glory of God shown around them. As they stood
frozen at that amazing sight in fear, the angel comforted them saying, “Fear
not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all
the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which
is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign to you: You will find the Babe
wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:10-12).
All of a sudden, they saw a company of the
heavenly host appear with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in
the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men”. God’s goodwill in
sending the Messiah brought the message of peace on earth. The goodwill of God
towards humanity is glory to God in the highest and peace on the earth. It is
the highest expression of His redeeming love and mercy for the fallen man.
Nowhere could we see the love of God strikingly exhibited than at the cross. It
was the fulfilment of long-promised Biblical prophecies to save humanity from
the punishment of their sin.
Apostle Peter says that “Jesus was handed
over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge”. God delighted to save man
from the jaws of eternal death and for that very purpose He sent His Son, the
delight of the Father, to die on the cursed cross, to take our rightful place
there. The risen Saviour said, “This is what is written: the Christ will suffer
and rise from the dead on the third day and repentance and forgiveness of sins
will be preached in His name to all nations…” Dear reader, have you repented
for your sins? Have you received the assurance of salvation? If not, come to
the Saviour right now and be washed by His precious blood and experience the
assurance of salvation!
- by Nadesan K.
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