CELEBRATE THE LORD GOD

PROCLAMATION

“Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before The Lord with all his might, while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of The Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets.”  2 Samuel 6:14-15 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

After David had been anointed king of all Israel and had again battled and defeated the Philistines, (2 Samuel 5:17-25) he went to Baalah in Judah to get the ark of God and to bring it to Jerusalem. (2 Samuel 6:1-2)  There was rejoicing and celebrating among the people of Israel. (2 Samuel 6:12-13)  King David was dancing in the street as he celebrated the ark of God entering the city of Jerusalem.  His wife, Michal the daughter of Saul, saw him and she was displeased. (2 Samuel 6:16)  When David came home, she confronted him, and David told her that he was celebrating before The Lord God and that he would continue to celebrate before The Lord, and that he would even do so more vigorously in the future. (2 Samuel 6:20-23)

APPLICATION

Frequently as believers we have been encouraged to pray like David, and to walk before The Lord God as David did.  However, I cannot recall being encouraged to dance like David did to celebrate The Lord God.  When we sing, shout, dance, and get our praise on, it should not be done for show but for the glory of God.  Our praise and worship should not be done for the entertainment of the people.  It is to be a genuine, heart felt celebration of The Lord God for who He is and for what He has done.  Likewise, preachers should not be preaching to entertain the people but rather to teach them what “thus saith The Lord”. (Zechariah 11:4)  All of the efforts of the people of God and the preachers should be done in celebration of God and for His glory.  We shouldn’t let anybody interfere with our celebration of The Lord God.

MERRY CHRISTMAS Celebrate The Birth Of Christ

"So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.  While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son.  She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn ...  And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of The Lord appeared to them, and the glory of The Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ The Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests." Luke 2:4-14 (NIV)

Luke, the physician who accompanied the Apostle Paul, described the events around the birth of Christ.

For a more complete account of the events surrounding the birth of Christ, one must read Matthew 1:18 to 2:18 and Luke 1:26 to 2:40.  AWAY IN A MANGER The Christ Child was placed after His birth on that SILENT NIGHT.  However, it was not silent for long for HARK, THE HERALD ANGELS SING a song and praise The Lord.  Their message was JOY TO THE WORLD THE LORD IS COME.  They
probably praised The Lord by singing HALLELUJAH, and if they didn't we still should.  O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL, let us give thanks for THE FIRST NOEL, and let us all sing and shout HALLELUJAH as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, The Christ.  A very MERRY CHRISTMAS to all of you, and may The Good Lord bless each of you with good health and much happiness for the remainder of this year, and throughout all of next year, and for all of the years to come.

Celebrating The Birth Of Christ # 3

"So Joseph ... went ... to Bethlehem ... with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a Child. While they were there ... she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn ... An angel of The Lord appeared ... said ... 'Today ... a Savior has been born ... He is Christ The Lord' ... Suddenly a great company of heavenly hosts appeared with the angel, praising God saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests." Luke 2:1-14

This is a brief summary of one of the Biblical accounts of the birth of Jesus The Christ, Immanuel. You should read the whole story for yourself as part of your celebration of the birth of Christ today. Then you too can praise God saying, "All hail King Jesus; All hail Immanuel!!!

May you have a blessed celebration of the birth of Christ today.

Celebrating The Birth Of Christ # 2

"... An angel of The Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from The Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins'. All this took place to fulfill what The Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will be with Child and will give birth to a Son, and they will call Him Immanuel' which means 'God with us'." Matthew 1:20-23 (NIV)

This is what we celebrate when we celebrate the birth of Christ. Christmas means much more to us than what most of the world sees. Let's celebrate the real reason for Christmas and let's share the real story behind the celebration. God was and is with us. All hail Immanuel!!!

Celebrating The Birth Of Christ

"Therefore The Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and give birth to a Son and will call Him Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14 (NIV)

"For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

The birth of Christ was predicted by the prophet Isaiah more than 400 years before it happened. Isaiah also went on to elaborate on Immanuel by describing Him. It is because of the fulfillment of this prophecy that we celebrate the birth of Christ.

A study of the celebration of "Christmas" reveals that the pagans had celebrations during the same time of the year with decorated trees, and lights, and feasts, hundreds of years before the birth of Christ. Their celebration then had nothing to do with Christ just as today the commercialization of Christmas is not about Christ.

Know what you are celebrating and why. Learn about the conception and birth of Christ (Matthew 1:18-2:23 and Luke 1:26-2:21) and tell someone about it. As Christians, we celebrate the birth of Christ because of who He is. Let's keep Christ in "CHRISTmas" and show the world
the Christ that is within us.