A picture can speak a thousand words. This picture proclaims the complete meaning of Christmas. It is God’s message through the baby born in a manager. That manager was located in the city of King David, Bethlehem, Israel.
The wise men saw the star prophesied by Balaam. It was an astronomical star within a nearby constellation. This particular constellation and its brightest star represented the coming messiah, who would rule the world. As God revealed it to Balaam:
"I see him, but not now; I behold, but not near; A star shall forth from Jacob, A scepter shall rise from Israel."
Those wise men followed the brilliant star that symbolized God’s new born king who would reign forever. That is why they brought him presents of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Those were gifts only given by ambassadors of other countries to honor kings and other royalty. According to one scholar, the wise men were well known ambassadors from Rome’s rival empire Parthia, which was east of Israel.
What did they do when they found the baby who had been born in the manger and wrapped in an old wick from Israel’s national menorah. That menorah was so big that when it was lite its light illuminated all of Jerusalem and beyond. Those men with their military entourage bowed down to honor the king-messiah who was the light of the world. In his light all humanity would be blessed with the knowledge of God and with eternal life.
Before this could become reality, the cute baby would have to grow up and live a sinless life. He would have to fulfill God word and will without compromise. And in the end, Jesus would have to suffer consequences of humanity’s breaking God law. Those consequences include pain, injustice, hate, mockery, betrayal, and death. The wages of sin is death. Just consider the world around us. Consider the reason for divorce, abandonment, alienation, isolation, lying, and division … anything but unity, peace and good. And, notice what was not mentioned: sickness and physical death. Death is more than a biological end. It continues beyond the grave.
Furthermore, let’s consider the kind of death new born king would suffer for humanity. Those who committed crimes against the Roman Empire ruled by Caesar were severely punished. Individuals, groups, even village and cities who rebelled against the Roman rule were either killed or enslaved. Leaders of insurrections were usually crucified. Because Jesus was accused of insurrection by Jewish officials and because they demanded the death penalty, Pilate had him crucified. What was his crime according to Rome’s local overlord, Pilate: He was king of the Jews.
God brought Jesus into the world to be sacrificed for the sins of all people. He suffered every form of punishment for every human being. All have sinned, and deserve punishment. Whether for a little lie or a habit of lying, for stealing a toy or robbing a bank, for immorality of every kind, for lying in wait to seduce someone or lying in wait harm, for killing an animal for fun or murdering a fellow human, Jesus suffered the slow death by execution on a cross for all crimes of all people for all time.
The good news is Jesus conquered death in all of its forms. God raised him from the dead. Just as those who saw the empty tomb, ate with him and received his instructions after rising from the dead, and who saw him ascend into heaven, we can know the son of God who lives forever more. Because he lives, we too can know God, experience His love, His forgiveness, and His life. To have a relationship with God is eternal life. That life begins now.
by Daniel Downs
The Greene Community Health Foundation’s 4th annual Fashion Swap ‘N Shop is scheduled for Saturday, October 27th, 2012 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Schindler Banquet Center in Xenia.
Women are invited to bring up to 5 gently-used, upscale and consignment-worthy clothing items of all sizes on hangars, including accessories to swap with other women. The event, featuring a luncheon, chair massages, fashion show and basket raffle, also boasts close to 30 different women’s home-based businesses including Pampered Chef, Tastefully Simple, Gem City Feng Shui, Scentsy, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Silpada, Velata Fondue and many more. Goody bags filled with various items will be provided to each guest, courtesy of Security National Bank. Nathalie Basha of WDTN-TV’s Living Dayton will be the guest emcee for the event.
Proceeds from this event will benefit the Clinic Cupboard housed at the Greene County Combined Health District in Xenia. This cupboard contains basic over-the-counter medical supplies, baby necessities and personal products for GCCHD clients in need throughout Greene County. All remaining clothing from the swap will be donated to Community Action Partnership of Greene County.
(Xenia, OH) This weekend on Saturday, September 1, hot rods and cool cars will line the streets of downtown Xenia at Main and Detroit Streets to raise funds for the Greene Community Health Foundation’s annual Holiday Project at the Greene County Combined Health District. This event is sponsored by the Greene County Road Runners Car Club.
will be held from 9:00am – 12:00pm and anything on wheels is just $10 per entry. Dash plaques will be provided to the first 100 entries and various awards will be given to selected entries including the ‘Favorite 50’, Best Engine and Best Paint. The show is free to spectators and will be held 9:00am – 3:00pm, rain or shine. All proceeds support the Holiday Project which provides holiday gifts for Greene County families in need. Donations of new toys will be accepted throughout the day.
We elevate the events of the American Revolution to near-mythical status all too often and forget that the real revolutionaries were people just like you and me. Caught up in the drama of Red Coats marching, muskets exploding and flags waving in the night, we lose sight of the enduring significance of the Revolution and what makes it relevant to our world today. Those revolutionaries, by and large, were neither agitators nor hotheads. They were not looking for trouble or trying to start a fight. Like many today, they were simply trying to make it from one day to another, a task that was increasingly difficult as Britain’s rule became more and more oppressive.