“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him “Immanuel” –which means “God with us”.
Matt 1:23
December is always about Christmas. Love it or hate it, no-one can ignore it. The shops are filled with gift ideas and party food. The streets are decorated with lights and packed with shoppers. Children re-enact the nativity as proud parents watch, taking photos and video to show to friends and family.
Jesus in the manger is still popular among non-Christians. Parents can identify with the excitement and the panic felt by all new mums and dads, and the hopes and dreams they have for the baby. Most parents begin to make plans for the future, sometimes unrealistic dreams, which they often pressure the growing child into fulfilling.
God the Father had plans for His Son too, but Jesus had to choose to obey. He was born for a purpose; to destroy the work of the evil one and restore mankind’s relationship with God. He chose to follow the path marked out for Him, even though it meant suffering and death before He could rejoin His Father after the resurrection. He was the light in the darkness. Wherever He went, He broke the power of sin, sickness and death.
Whatever the circumstances surrounding your conception and birth, you were created by God for a purpose. You were born to know your Father, through His Son Jesus Christ and follow Him. You too are created to be the light pushing back the darkness. You too can have the same power at work in you which raised Jesus from the dead.
This Christmas, when you remember Jesus’ birth and why He came, remember too that you were born for a purpose
“For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers.” Romans 8:29
