Christmas is a State of the Heart

December 9, 2001

The name "Jesus" comes from the Hebrew language meaning "Savior." There are many prophecies in the Old Testament stating specifically the coming of the Messiah, centuries before He came: "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14). "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father,The Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).

"Rejoice greatly, O my people! Shout with joy! For look---your King is coming! He is the Righteous One, the Victor! Yet he is lowly, riding on a donkey's colt!" (Zechariah 9:9 TLB).

Hebrews 9:11-12 clearly explains that the blood sacrifice commanded in Leviticus finds fulfillment in Jesus: "He came as High Priest of this better system which we now have. He went into that greater, perfect tabernacle in heaven, not made by men nor part of this world, and once for all took blood into that inner room, the Holy of Holies, and sprinkled it on the mercy seat; but it was not the blood of goats and calves. No, he took his own blood, and with it he, by himself, made sure of our eternal salvation."

God's awesome plan for saving mankind from sin still rings in the hearts of those who welcome Him. Jesus could have been born in a palace of glittering splendor, yet God chose a stable for the Savior of the world. Generations have loved Him. Generations to come will love Him. Until Jesus returns, hearts of hope will continue to honor Him. His truths still prevail. Time has proven there is only one way to live successfully. Wrong never wins and ultimately fails.

With Jesus, goodness always prevails. The history of civilization has shown there wasn't much love in the world until Jesus came. Life was cheap, harsh and cruel. It is the same today in pagan countries. A nation without Jesus is a nation without hope! A nation with Jesus is blessed.

An intellectual professor was asked to give in one sentence the tenant of his Christian faith. Everyone waited anxiously to hear the words of this educated man: "Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so."

That was it and so it is. Jesus loves you and He loves me. That is why He came to earth. That is why the angels sing. That is why we celebrate. The joy of salvation brings cheer throughout the year. Although we exchange gifts with each other, what do we give to the One who gave us the greatest gift of all?

Give Him your heart. He longs for you. The depths of His love caused Him much pain, agony and heartache, but He did it for you and for me. Keep thankfulness and praise inside your heart. We hear enough bad news. Let the really "Good News" dwell in you and keep your heart at peace.

Give Him the gift of your love and demonstrate that love by loving others, even if that love is not returned. Love still isn't love until it is given away. By keeping Jesus in your heart you will have Christmas every day because Christmas is a state of the heart.