Christ Jesus Still Creates A Stir

The messianic prophecies of the Old Testament created a stir in prophecy discussions for hundreds of years.

Then it happened. Jesus was born in Bethlehem. The shepherds, the angelic choir, King Herod and a host of others were in a stir for months.

Twelve years later when Jesus went to the temple, His interactions with the intellectuals of His day created a stir.

His preaching and teaching created a stir in towns and villages everywhere He went.

His miracles certified His ministry and set the crowds in a stir.

The days surrounding the crucifixion had the whole Jerusalem area in an uproar, indeed, a great stir.

Then came the resurrection. With that astounding turn of events, a fresh new wind blew away the carping critics and set the disciples on fire. What a stir!

Next on the agenda was the ascension. No jets and no rocket boosters, just up, up and away He went—shocking, yes, and yet another stirring event.

Read now the Book of Acts, the Epistles and the Revelation. The stir is there again and again.

Now fast forward to December 2019. It is the Christmas season. The Lord Jesus Christ is still creating a stir.

The critics and the cranks are still here in the modern world. Some of them have been so bothered the past few years that they have engaged in a war on Christmas.

But in spite of all the political pushback, people all around the globe will give attention to Christmas.

Not everybody will handle it right, but still folks are astir about it.

As for me personally, I believe Dr. John R. Rice said it well in one of his classic pieces entitled I Love Christmas. As I ponder his theme, I am motivated to express my love with these thoughts.

1. I love Christmas because it proves God’s promises are true.

“Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”—Matt. 1:22,23.

2. I love it because it marks the birth of the Savior.

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”—Vs. 21.

3. I love it because it is “good news” to me.

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”—Luke 2:10,11.

4. I love it because it celebrates God’s gift to me.

“The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”—Rom. 6:23.

5. I love it because it is a gift I can give to others.

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”—II Pet. 3:9.

6. I love it because it is literally the hope for our sin-sick, Hell­bound world.

7. I love it because it still stirs.

We never tire of the message. We are still excited about Him. We are not bored.

We are eager, happy and driven to keep telling His story.

Yes, the Lord Jesus still stirs things up.

When He has the place He deserves with me and with you, we will be stirred. Amen.

Merry Christmas, dear friends, and God bless you, your family and your church family.