"Happy Birthday, Jesus!" - Girlfriends in God - Dec. 25, 2009

December 25, 2009 

Happy Birthday, Jesus! 

Mary Southerland

Today's Truth 
Luke 2:8-12 "Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.  Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be the sign to you:  You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger" (NKJV).

Friend to Friend 

Happy Birthday to You! 

Happy Birthday to You! 

Happy Birthday, dear Jesus! 

Happy Birthday to You!

Christmas is the birthday of Jesus Christ! I have always wondered why we typically celebrate His birth by giving gifts to everyone but Him. What gifts does He want from us?  What gifts are fit for the King? To answer that question let's go back to that first Christmas and see what gifts He received that holy night.

• The gift of trust

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight."

Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, was a teenager, probably fourteen or fifteen years old, engaged to Joseph when an angel appeared to her with the startling message that she would have a baby, a son named Jesus. Since she was still a virgin she did not fully understand the message but she knew the One who had sent it - and that was enough.  Trust is a gift fit for the King. 

• The gift of obedience  

John 14:15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command."  

Joseph's engagement to Mary was legally binding. Imagine his shock and confusion when he learned that Mary was pregnant. Knowing that he could not possibly be the baby's father, Joseph's first reaction was to divorce Mary quietly. An angel from God appeared and told Joseph to "keep her but do not sleep with her!" Now Joseph's response could have been many things but he chose to respond in obedience.  A small child riding in the car wanted to stand in the front seat by his father. The dad explained the importance of a seat belt and told the little boy to sit down.  The boy refused, crossing his little arms in defiance. Finally, the father physically sat his son down and buckled him into the seat, bragging on the little boy for his obedience. With a glare, his son said, "I may be sitting down on the outside but I'm still standing up on the inside."  Obedience is an active and deliberate choice to do what God wants us to do.  Obedience is not just an outward motion - it is also an inward attitude - and a gift fit for the King. 

• The gift of praise

Psalm 50:6 "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord." 

When the shepherds heard the angels' news, they went to see Jesus for themselves. After they saw the baby, they left praising God!  Anytime we are in the presence of God, praise will result.  Praise is also a continual choice that we make again and again until it becomes a habit.  Don't let anyone or any circumstance keep you from praising God!  Praise keeps us kneeling before the manger and is a gift fit for the King."  

• The gift of sacrifice

Romans 12:1 "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship."

The Wise Men came; bringing gifts that required sacrifice because they knew that true worship always involves sacrifice. Gold, a precious metal, Incense, a rare and expensive product used in worship and Myrrh, an expensive perfume were the gifts they brought to Jesus.  Sacrifice goes beyond what is required or expected. The best gift - the most expensive and extravagant gift should go to the one whose birthday we celebrate.  Gifts of trust, obedience, praise and sacrifice please God and are gifts fit for the King.

In other words, the best gift that we can give God at Christmas is US!  May the words of this children's song be the prayer of our hearts this Christmas Day:

"I'm gonna wrap up myself for Christmas 
And tie me with a big red bow. 
That's what I'm giving to Jesus. 
It's a present He'll like I know."

Merry Christmas!

Let's Pray
Lord, today I celebrate Your birth.  Thank You for the gift of life and love I find in knowing You.  My Christmas gift to You is everything I am, everything I have, everything I hope to be.  I love You, Lord.

In Jesus' name, 
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn 
Have a birthday party for Jesus today.  Bake a cake, sing "Happy Birthday" and worship Him by surrendering to His plan and provision for your life. 

Leave one Christmas decoration out this year as a reminder of His birth and what His presence means every single day.

Consider the following questions: 

• What is the meaning of Christmas in my life?  
• How can I lead my family to celebrate the birth of Jesus?  
• What has been the most meaningful part of this Christmas holiday?  Why?

More From The Girls  

Sharon, Gwen and I pray that today is a true celebration of Jesus Christ in your life.  Carve out time today to spend alone with Him.  Praise and worship Him for who He is, Lord, King, Father and Shepherd.  He is Friend of the wounded heart and the Great Physician.  He is our Everything and He is Emmanuel - God with us. Merry Christmas!