Happy Birthday, Jesus!

by Mary Southerland

Today’s Truth

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger (Luke 2:8-12, NKJV).

Friend to Friend
Happy Birthday to You!
Happy Birthday to You!
Happy Birthday, dear Jesus!
Happy Birthday to You!
Christmas is the birthday of Jesus Christ. I have always wondered why we typically celebrate His birth by giving gifts to everyone but Him. What gifts does Jesus want from us?
Jesus wants our trust.

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, was a teenage girl, probably fourteen or fifteen years old. Mary was engaged to Joseph when an angel appeared to her with the startling message that she would have a baby, a son named Jesus. Since she was still a virgin, Mary didn’t understand the message, but she knew the One who had sent it – and that was enough.

Jesus wants our obedience.
John 14:15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command.”
Joseph’s engagement to Mary was legally binding. Imagine his shock and confusion when he learned that Mary was pregnant. Knowing that he could not possibly be the baby’s father, Joseph’s first reaction was to divorce Mary quietly. An angel from God appeared and told Joseph to “keep her but do not sleep with her!” Now Joseph’s response could have been many things - but he chose obedience.
A small child riding the car wanted to stand on the front seat by his father. The dad explained the importance of wearing a seat belt and told the little boy to sit down. The boy refused, crossing his little arms in defiance. The father physically sat his son down and buckled him into the seat, bragging on the little boy for his obedience. With a defiant glare, his son said, “I may be sitting down on the outside, but I’m still standing up on the inside.” Obedience is not just an outward motion – it is also an inward attitude.

Jesus wants our praise.

Psalm 150:6 “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” 

When the shepherds heard the angels’ news, they went to see Jesus for themselves. After they saw the baby, they left praising God! Anytime we are in the presence of God, we will praise Him. Praise is a continual choice we make until it becomes a habit. Don’t let anyone or any circumstance keep you from praising God!

Jesus wants our sacrifice.
The Wise Men came; bringing gifts that required sacrifice because they knew that true worship always involves sacrifice. Gold, a precious metal, Incense, a rare and expensive product used in worship and Myrrh, an expensive perfume were the gifts they brought to Jesus. Sacrifice goes beyond what is required or expected. The best gift - the most expensive and extravagant gift - should go to the one whose birthday we celebrate.  Gifts of trust, obedience, praise and sacrifice please God and are gifts fit for the King.

In other words, the best gift that we can give God at Christmas is us. May the words of this children’s song be the prayer of our hearts this Christmas season:

”I’m gonna wrap up myself for Christmas

And tie me with a big red bow.

That’s what I’m giving to Jesus.

It’s a present He’ll like I know.”

Let’s Pray                       

Lord, today I celebrate Your birth. Thank You for the gift of life and love I find in knowing You. My Christmas gift to You is everything I am, everything I have, and everything I hope to be. I love You, Lord. 

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

Now it’s Your Turn

Have a birthday party for Jesus. Bake a cake, sing “Happy Birthday” and worship Him by surrendering to His plan and provision for your life. 

Leave one Christmas decoration out this year as a reminder of His birth and what His presence means every single day.

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I pray that this Christmas season is a true celebration of Jesus Christ in your life. Spend time with Him today. Praise and worship Him. He is Emmanuel, God with us.