The Five blessings of Christmas
Its Christmas time once again. Heaven and earth rejoice and celebrate the birth of Jesus. What a wonderful time to be in. There is celebration and rejoicing everywhere.
Let me share the five blessings of Christmas from Lk 1:46-52 - the song of Mary All these blessings can be yours this Christmas season.
- The Miracle realm is opened:
In the course of the history of Israel many years went by without a single miracle. It was during the birth of Christ that this realm was opened yet again. Everything that happened during the first Christmas was miracles and wonders. Miracle is something that is beyond human ability, and human comprehension. It is something that makes the impossible …possible and nullifies that wisdom of even the brilliant doctors.
The couple Zachariah:
Was his birth just an ordinary birth. Couldn’t this Zachariah couple have had children during their 30’s, 40’s. Should they have children in their old age. Why did the old barren womb of Elizabeth< become like a womb of a young virgin? Once upon a time, they must have prayed, labored so hard for a child. All their efforts must have been in vain. They must have even stopped praying. It was at this time that the Angel of God appeared and told them that their prayers have been answered.
My dear people God wants to perform miracles for you. Do not limit his miracle power through your brain. Days have gone by. Do not tell God that you have become old. You know what happened to Zachariah when he told that. It is never too late … never too old for God’s miracles
The Virgin Mary:
The same Angel came and spoke very kindly and softly to this young virgin. Joyfully He told her how she will become pregnant and how the Lord of Lords will be born in her womb. A young virgin becoming pregnant!!. Is it possible in real life? Time had passed by for Zacharia and for Mary the time was too early. (Too early and too young) This is the good news of Christmas.
You might have lamented till now saying ..Oh days have gone by.. now can I receive a miracle? Now can I get peace and joy? Will my life be ever settled? This is God’s message for you. Nothing is impossible with your God. Your time and calculations cannot curtail or limit His miracle power. Or you must be thinking. I am a young child, still very innocent; I have to wait for many years. This also is not just and right. Miracle is when God intervenes swiftly and shows his act even as you are thinking that it is too late. Indeed He has opened the miracle realm for you.
Likewise He will also do miracles you have never heard. Did Mary ever hear of a virgin giving birth? Has it ever happened in the lives of the Old Testament saints? May be Mary would have heard of how Sarah became pregnant in her old age. She would have also heard of Elizabeth< becoming pregnant in her old age but would she have ever known of a young girl becoming a mother without knowing a man?? Yes it is only this miracle power that will perform things which you have not seen or heard. It is true that the miracle realm was opened during Christmas. The host of angels singing was a miracle. The Christmas message from God was a miracle. An old women giving birth is a miracle. What ever is going to happen to you beating all doubts and unbelief in your heart is a miracle. Whatever happens beyond your understanding and comprehension is a miracle. Embrace this miracle realm today. The supernatural Holy Spirit encircling you an ordinary person is a miracle. Performing the impossible is a miracle. Whatever can be done only by the power of the Almighty God is a miracle. Do you want to know what God is telling you as you think how this will happen?
The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Almighty will overshadow you. ….For with God nothing is impossible. Lk 1:35-37
God himself will do that which no man can do for you. The angel used Elizabeth to stir up the faith in Mary. There were Old Testament examples for Elizabeth< to believe, but Mary had no such example. Elizabeth’s miracle stirred up the faith that was needed to bring about Mary’s miracle. Not only that, all that Elizabeth prophesied to the one who had come to greet her was also a miracle. Whatever the Angel told Mary in the secrecy of her room, Elizabeth< made it public. You are going to see a miracle. To you a child is going to be born and to you a Son will be given, His name shall be called Wonderful, He will dwell in your midst. From the time He comes into you and until you close your eyes all that He does for you is a miracle. Every day He desires you to see miracles in your life. That is His will for you. Today shout the miracle that you have so long desired. Trust our Lord to bring it to pass and sing in faith. Confess, Rejoice and enjoy the miracles.
- Soul magnifies and Spirit rejoices
Christmas beckons you to a life of singing. The shepherds, Angels, Elizzabeth, Zacharia, Simon and Mary sang. Jesus came into this world to make you life into a song. It is not God’s will for you to magnify your sorrows, sufferings, pain and remain confused. Your soul must magnify your God and your spirit must rejoice in your Savior. In the midst of your persecution try to sing songs of praise. Medical world speaks of Sound Therapy, Water Therapy, Laughter Therapy and we hear of many more such new therapies every day. God is introducing a new therapy like song therapy, worship therapy. Always and at all times exalt our Lord. Sing and shout because you have Someone who loves you and cares for you. As you confess in faith you will see problems disappear in your body, soul, family and even relationships. There is an old adage in tamil that says.. one must sing and milk a singing cow and must dance and milk a dancing cow. It is their belief that as you sing and milk a cow it will yield more milk. Christmas portrays the importance of singing in the Church today.
The song that Mary sang was not a part of any hymn book. May be Hannah’s OT song could have made a deep impression in her. But the song she sang that day was from her spirit. The day Jesus was born in you, the ability to sing in all circumstance has also come. Now you have a new problem of how not to sing. Observe men who are full of the Holy Spirit. They will always be humming a tune. There will be rejoicing in their spirit. Singing is not difficult for them, to be without singing is only difficult for them. They will be singing in their bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, in every adverse situation, while traveling, when they are afraid, while working, a song before everybody, this is ordinary Christian life. Jesus came into this world only to bring this life in you. Giving thanks to God for what He has done is what Christmas experience is all about. You get corporation water on alternate days, one can get well water by drawing, and one can get bore well water by pumping. You open the tap you get water, but to be spontaneous and to flow is what only Christ can gives us. If you cannot sing with freedom, then disease has caught your spiritual man. If you remain like this for many days then it is perennial sickness. Immediately go to a church where they worship God. Cling on to Men of God who are trained to sing at all times. Do not magnify your problems, Magnify God who can solve your problems. Christmas is only for this. Christmas brings joy amidst confusion. Change everything that is burdening your heart into a song. This is the true meaning of Christmas. No matter for what you are crying, you will rejoice for it. Your Savior will protect you. He will lift you up at all times. Sing and celebrate. This habit will make you a blessing for the nations. If you always have a calm, quiet and joyful spirit always singing and worshipping God in every situation then this is a sure indication that you are controlled by the Holy Spirit.
It is quite natural to have lots of apprehension when you are about to enter a new phase not knowing the past or future. Sudden changes can be very disturbing. For those of you who are waiting for a very long time for your lives to be settled, your future could appear very frightening or alarming. Think how apprehensive and fearful Mary must have felt. What will people talk about her? Oh a young virgin has become a mother. Oh what shame, will they stone her or will they chase her. How many thoughts must have troubled her but she stayed focused on the Word of God and in faith sang joyfully. She became a vessel to bless the whole world. Right now sing a thanksgiving song.
- He regards the lowly state of the maid servant.
Christmas brings exaltation to all those who are weak, lowly, destitute, the neglected. God is looking intently at your present lowly condition. God wants to exalt you to the astonishment of everyone around you. Take courage. A day will come when you will gladly say” He looked at this maid servant’s lowly state. Henceforth all generations will call me blessed” Your status and worth after Christ comes into you heart will increase many times. No one can stop this. A life without him is a small circle. After He comes it becomes a BIG circle. This is a fixed rule. Christmas is filling the hungry and underprivileged and satisfying them. Christmas is fulfilling your every longing. Christmas is exalting you before all your friends and relatives. Do you know what is the difference between the one who has given his life to Jesus and the one who has not? Is it the difference between America and India or America and Africa? No, it is the difference between heaven and earth. It is true that in every area of your life and in every facet of your life, you will see a big exaltation. Your vehicles will change. You eating style will change. Living comforts and styles will change. Your name and fame will also change. He who is last in everything will be drawn to the forefront. If Jesus has begun to exalt someone there is no limit to what He can do. All generations will call you blessed. Did he not change a lowly young virgin from a lowly city Nazareth< into someone whom the whole world is calling blessed today? Is there anyone who does not know Mary? All those who are looking at you from a distance will have to look up to you in the days to come. You will see greater exaltation tomorrow. It is very certain that God will exalt you this Christmas. Gear up and stand.
- He will scatter the proud.
This miracle working God is the one who makes you happy. He is the one who changes your lowly state. He is the one who will avenge your enemies. The state of those who trust in their own strength is pitiful. Do you know what He will do to those who boast in their strength? He will punish, scatter and destroy them. He will push them from their thrones to a deep pit. A God who can exalt anyone can also put people down. Our God who will honor you can also cause your enemies to faint. Our God who does mighty things for you will confuse and confound your enemies this Christmas season. Indeed He will show you His might and outstretched arm. Can you define His might? Is it finger’s strength or hand’s strength or leg’s strength? No. It is His most High strength. Christ was born for your exaltation and for your enemy’s downfall. When the Israelites crossed the Red Sea, the glory of God was like a light to them but to their enemy He was darkness. The glory of Christmas is also like this. For all those who love, honor and seek Him He is their light and exaltation. But for those who hate Him He is destruction. Those who think that they cannot be shaken will be destroyed in a jiffy. All the powers that are against your exaltation will be crushed to the ground. The forces that are trying to steal your joy and happiness will be struck down Just imagine, the same Christmas that exalted and lifted up old Elizabeth, poor Mary, Widow Anna, old Simon and the lowly shepherds made King Herod to panic. How many children were killed? All those who were in high position during the birth of Christ panicked. The age in which Jesus was born was a dark age. Christ was born at a time like this only. He brought heaven down here. In a nutshell, because of Him servants became masters and masters became servants. This Christmas blessing is for you. Arise and possess.
- He will bring to pass what He has promised
The fulfillment of every promise of God from the very Beginning is Christmas. Every promise he has spoken through our forefathers He will bring it to pass through Christ. For this reason Word became flesh and has dwelt among you. All the promises are Yes and Amen in Christ. During this Christmas season speak and confess the promises of God from the Word. Use them to intercede and praise.
You will give to many nations but you will not borrow. Great shall be the peace of your children. They shall be taught by God. You shall see the lives of your children’s children. You will still bear fruit in old age. You will be fat and well fed. You shall be full of life. Kings will come to the brightness of your rising. All the works of your hand will surely prosper. Christ who has every blessing in Him is born in you. There is no lack. May God grant you a Christmas that is full of blessings. May He perform wonders and make you joyful. May He fight your battles and give your victory.
Wishing you and all your family a very Blessed Christmas and an Anointed and Christ centered New Year 2009
