John 3:16. For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
MERRY CHRISTMAS MY SCRIP-BIT FAMILY
Oh Friends, the big day is here at last! It’s Christmas morn! The day God’s incarnate child was born of a woman in a lowly, filthy stable! Glory Hallelujah! And the choir sang: ‘Away in a manger, no crib for His head, The little Lord Jesus, lay down His sweet head. The stars in the bright sky, looked down where he lay, The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay. The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes.’ Yes Friends, even as a newborn babe, Jesus was imbued with a sense of peace and calm. How many of us would have lain there quietly in the stinky stable with frightening animal noises all around us eh? Not too many, I believe. And just for being such a beautiful baby child, let’s give Him some adoration nuh. Sing it out loud now: ‘O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.’ Ah mih people, what a momentous day in man’s history the birth of Christ was, and what a transition it ushered in., because LOVE, and Peace, and Goodwill then became more prominent and significant, morphing into true watchwords in our lives. How could it be otherwise when our Bit declares this amazing, this most awesome tale: ‘For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ Wow mih breddren! What a sacrifice on the part of Jehovah God! He must have LOVED us a whole lot to do such an unexpected, undeserved, ‘unrequitable’ thing, won’t you say? But that’s the unselfish majesty of our God! Though He knew we didn’t deserve it, and could never repay it, from the never-ending source of His LOVING-kindness and concern for us, He still extended that gift of LOVE, of Grace, of Salvation, and of Eternal Life to us, embodied in His Son Jesus. That certainly deserves another ‘Wow!’ mih people…and some singing too. ‘Silent night, Holy Night, all is calm, all is bright. Round young virgin, mother and child. Holy infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace. Shepherds gaze at the sight. Glory streaming from heaven above. Heavenly Host sings Hallelujah! Christ the Saviour is born. Christ the Saviour is born.’ Truer words were never spoken Friends! Now let’s check out some scripture re this auspicious occasion. As regards God’s LOVE, Bruh Paul confidently proclaimed to the Roman Church: ‘But God commendeth (demonstrated) his LOVE toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.’ (Rom.5:8) Then to the Ephesians, he pointed out: ‘But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great LOVE wherewith he LOVED us…For by grace are ye (you have been) saved, through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.’ (Eph.2:5,8) And to the Thessalonians: ‘Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath LOVED us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace. Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.’ (2 Thess.2:16-17) Now listen to John’s take on the subject: ‘In this was manifested the LOVE of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world that we might live through him. Herein is LOVE, not that we LOVED God, but that he LOVED us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.’ (1 John 4:9-10) And in Revelations it’s revealed thus: ‘And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten (born) of the dead, and the prince of (ruler over) the kings of the earth. Unto him that LOVED us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.’ (Rev.1:5) Oh Friends, without a doubt, it’s all about that glorious emotion of LOVE, that overwhelming feeling of care and consideration that the Holy Trinity has for us, that we can safely say we’re on the road to peace, joy, salvation and eternal life. There’s nothing else like LOVE in existence. It’s the very nature of our God! And we can’t end today without sharing the most amazing bit of scripture, of prophecy that was ever written, centuries before it came to pass too. Listen to Isaiah: ‘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.’ (Is.9:6) And as it was said, so it was done my Friends, some two thousand years ago. Now let’s go home with some praise in song. ‘Hark the herald angels sing, glory to the new born King. Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled. Hark the herald angels sing, Christ is born in Bethlehem. Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the new born King.’ Yes Friends, let’s give our God some most deserved glory, this Christmas Day 2011. And remember, drunk or sober, mind yuh business. (smile) Much LOVE!…the reason for the season…Jesus’ birthday…so please pay Him some homage today…
SCRIP-BITS 