Do You Know Him?

Know: to be familiar with or have experience of

As a tradition when we were children, we waited in anticipation for the one called Santa to come on Christmas (kids are very wise now; you can’t fool them these days!). Back then we sang (and some of us still sing), “you better watch out, you better not pout, you better not cry, I’m telling you why --Santa Claus is coming to town. He knows when you are sleeping, he knows when you are awake, he knows when you've been good or bad, so be good for goodness sake.” Friends, I hate to ruin the surprise here, but I'm here to tell you that Santa is fake. Let me share with you the real reason for the season.

Let's talk about His identity: His mother was an ordinary young girl named Mary. Her life was normal - she grew up like most girls; she was engaged and anticipating marriage. However, sometimes even our best made plans don't go as we expected. This Mary was a virgin who was blessed and highly favored by the Lord. Even still, she got some news that troubled her, "And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS" Luke 1:30-31.

Now let's think about His birth place: He was born in a stable. Can you imagine the smells of that stable (i.e. a barn)?! It was not a spotless hospital; there was no beautiful crib there befitting the Son of God. He was born in a small town called Bethlehem. The angels announced to the Shepherds, "for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." Do you know Him?

Finally, here's the rest of the story: one night, in a little town called Bethlehem, God set out on His great odyssey of redeeming love. In spite of man’s sin, God came down through 42 generations. Because of man's sin, God got in touch with a homeless couple - an unwed teenager mother and a frightened and confused father. One night God closed the door of an inn so that he could open up the door to eternity!

God sent His only Son to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, calm the storms, straighten crooked limbs, give sight to the blind, unstop deaf ears, preach the Gospel, bring hope to the hopeless and to set the captive free.

Who is this JESUS? Why, He is the Savior of the world, of course!
Do you know Him? If not, there is no better time than now to introduce yourself and invite Him into your life. The clock is ticking and the alarm is about to go off!

Jesus is coming to town and He knows if you have been good or bad...

With all that said, let the Church say amen... and Amen!