Christmas

Christmas: God Invades the Human Sphere

Dr. Mike Christmas, Kingdom Paradigms ,
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us” I John 1:1-2 ESV.

jesus 21

What type of person would…
…empty themselves from the universe’s highest privileges to share life with the lowliest derelicts?
…remove themselves from a sure future into a situation where the risk of failure hangs heavy on one’s shoulders?
…walk away from eternal bliss into human depravity?

How about someone who cares?

He surrendered his rights, privileges, and eternal home by walking through heaven’s looking glass into our human dimension.

As a Man-God he experienced birth, hunger, and filled diapers as a baby. He learned to walk, run, and jump as a youth. He was educated in the Jewish culture, shared family chores with his siblings, and grew in stature/wisdom with God and his neighbors.

He studied the Scriptures. Even debated with the religious academia scholars as a 12 year old.

As the family eldest, he most likely ran the family carpentry business after his step-dad died.

He attended Jewish weddings, funerals, and Sabbath services in the synagogue.

Near the end of his life, he also learned first-hand about pain and suffering. He witnessed the cruelty of people harming people for personal gain. He personally saw the injustice around him. Every human experience you and I share, he experienced.

jesus 20His name is Jesus.

Christmas is not about a baby. It is not about exchanging gifts. It is not even a birthday party. Christmas is our reminder that Jesus Christ invaded our world, restored His claim on Earth, and included us to share in His domain now and forevermore.

Please don’t get caught up in the commercial trappings of Christmas. Instead let Jesus be the center and reason for the season.

And with that…Merry Christmas!!

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Director & Founder
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

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Christmas: Gold, Frankincense, Myrrh

Dr. Mike Christmas, Kingdom Paradigms , , , ,
“And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11 ESV.

wise 1

God’s purpose is most often recognized and accomplished through people. Take the Biblical narrative of the Magi in search of the new king at his birth.

These Eastern religious leaders knew from their own prophesies that when certain events took place, a child would be born whom the world will one day receive as their king.

This event took place when Jesus was born to a newly married, young Jewish couple, Joseph & Mary.

When the Magi finally completed their journey in search of the newborn, they arrived approximately zero to two years after the birth of Jesus. They found the family residing in a house and not the manger where Jesus was born.

As a gift to the newborn king, they presented him with gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The gifts accomplished a twofold purpose.

One, it gave recognition that the child was special. Gold was the royal gift given to kings; frankincense recognized the priestly divinity of a person; and myrrh pictured the future embalmed savior of the world. All these expensive gifts foretold the child’s destiny.

Secondly, God knew that Joseph, Mary, and Jesus would need to flee Jerusalem because of King Herod’s perverted decree to kill all the young under two years of age. So He made the arrangement giving Joseph the necessary resources to pay for their travel. The family now could easily finance their trip to Egypt and await King Herod’s demise. In fact, exchanging the frankincense and myrrh for cash probably help establish their new home and business in Nazareth upon their return.

God has a way to workout events before we realize there is a need. He blesses us through the events and circumstances we face each day so that His purpose will ultimately be accomplished. Most often these blessing come via people. And the people God works through may not even be of the same faith, nationality, or race. We witness that with the Magi.

Remember, Christmas is not about the gifts. It is simply man’s limited attempt to recognize the world’s greatest Giver. The Triune God. And wise people still seek Him today!

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Director & Founder
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Encourage your Friends…Share Today’s Message!

Christmas: Celebrating the Arrival of The King

Dr. Mike Christmas, Kingdom Paradigms ,
“Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:2 ESV.

king 1

Non-Jewish religious leaders from the east came looking for the new King. (Tradition always seems to show three. However the Bible says wise men without ever mentioning the number.) Their own teaching prophesied the coming of a new baby who would one day rule the world. When they arrived to Jerusalem looking for the child, the local ruler asked the Jewish leaders where the Messiah was to be born. They replied quoting the prophecy written approximately 700 year earlier from the Book of Micah that he would come from Bethlehem. Therefore, these wise men traveled to the village and found the child with mother in a home. There they showered the child with gifts in honor and respect to the new king.

Again at the end of Jesus’ life, Pontius Pilate referred to Jesus as a King and committed him to the capital punishment of death on the cross. His legal crime written for the public to witness was “King of the Jews.”

Jesus Christ was born and initially died for being a king. As he taught and Scripture reveals, he came to be King, his servants didn’t recognize him, and he left with the expectation of one day returning to fully establish his kingdom.

Christmas is a time to celebrate the arrival of humanity’s king. The Man-God. The first born of a new humanity. He is no longer a baby but a fully, empowered living eternal being who qualified to be our King. For many of us living in a democratic republic, the concept of having a king is ambiguous at best. However, when one acknowledges Jesus as Lord, one begins to fully live-out the relationship of a king with his servants. To live under a benevolent ruler makes many hunger for his return. For the many in today’s world who are upset with the current governmental leaders who fall far short from their promises, hope and a better world is around the corner.

Therefore, let’s celebrate this Christmas with joy and gratitude for all to see that we await the return of our King. The hope of mankind.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Director & Founder
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Encourage your Friends…Share Today’s Message!