Happy Birthday Jesus!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Happy birthday Jesus! Its been two millennium since you walked this planet. But Your footprints are forever embedded in history. You need no gifts except our love, which is not really a gift, but an obligation. What else could we do, considering Your amazing grace?

Happy birthday Jesus! We are sure that there was great sadness in heaven on that night in Bethlehem. Even though the angels sang of your arrival, surely other celestial beings wept because You had left Your royal throne. Your absence, no doubt, left a vacuum in that beautiful place.

Happy birthday Jesus! You were rich beyond our imaginations, yet you became poor so that we might become rich. And that we are! Our wealth is measured not in houses and lands, but in spiritual graces.

Happy birthday Jesus! Ezekiel spoke of Your coming ages ago:

“I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend them; he will tend them and be their shepherd. I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David will be prince among them. I the LORD have spoken” (Ezekiel.34:23,24). The shepherds must have understood and believed this prophecy. As they knelt at the manger, thoughts of the Good Shepherd and the ministry He would offer must have filled their minds.

Happy birthday Jesus! When the wisemen presented gifts to You, did they understand that You were the greatest gift given to mankind? The wrapping of this gift was spoken of by an angel: This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger (Luke 2:12). Luke also wrote of the trimmings in 2:13,14: 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.” The contents of this marvelous gift of Yours was revealed to a virgin: The angel said to her, “Do no be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of his father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; His kingdom will never end” (Luke 1:30-33). The purpose of this offering: For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

Happy birthday Jesus! All across this world of ours, there will be celebrating on or near December 25th. You did not command us to observe this time, but how can we not do so? You clothed Yourself in human flesh. You became one of us. It was Your purpose to redeem us, even though we did not deserve it. We are so indebted to You. How can we not rejoice and lift our hearts in praise for the wonder of the Incarnation?

Happy birthday Jesus! We do not bring a cake. We bring ourselves. We meet in houses of worship, from gigantic cathedrals to humble, store-front churches. And we also gather together in our family settings–all with one purpose–to remember and rejoice.

Happy birthday Jesus! R.E. Neighbour penned the following words, as he meditated on the phrase, Unto you is born this day...

O what a Day!

Foretold in ages long since past;

By many prophets oft forecast:

God’s promises the world outlast—

O what a Day!

O what a Gift!

From God the Father up in heav’n,

To sinful mortals, Satan driv’n,

A Savior, Christ the Lord was giv’n—

O what a Gift!

O what a Babe!

A Child asleep on Mary’s knees,

Yet true incarnate God was He,

With “goings forth” eternally—

O what a Babe!

O what a Love!

Born purposely for men to die,

To save them, bless, and glorify,

And bear them to His Home on high—

O what a Love!

What shall we Do?

E’er this glad Christmastide is gone,

Accept Him now and love Him on,

His soulful praises e’er prolong—

This let us do.

Happy birthday Jesus! We’re throwing a party in Your honor. The invitations are out. Everyone is invited. We’ve told people that they can come as they are. Even grubbies are okay. You’ll be washing us and giving us new clothes anyway. Didn’t you say something about new white robes and crowns for everyone who stays till the last? Admission is free. You have already paid for everyone. We could never afford to come had You not given Your all! Refreshments will be served: New wine, bread and a drink You call, “living water.” This will be followed by a supper, that promises to be out of this world! Gift suggestions: Our hearts. You have everything else. The entertainment will consist of songs by angels and the redeemed, with You as the audience. We’ll have a guest book conveniently located, called the “Lamb’s Book of Life.”