“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 2:13-14 NIV).
The angel appeared to the shepherds to tell them that the Christ child was born and that they would find him lying in a manger wrapped in cloths. Then the heavenly host appeared praising God. Can you imagine what went through the shepherds minds at that time? Angels appeared only on rare occasions to people. Even though the angels told the shepherds about Christ being born, they would never know what it is like to have Christ dwell in them.
Have you ever let it sink into your heart that when you accept Christ as your Savior, you have him inside of you. Angels long to look into these things concerning the Holy Spirit that lives within you when you become a Christian.(1 Peter 1:12) The angels can’t have Christ in them. Doesn’t that make you feel wonderful? You have something the angels long to know about. But none of this could have happened if Christ had never been born in that lowly manger.
Now you can have Christ in you because of that birth many years ago. This is what Paul says about this mystery. “To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27 NIV). I think we take this for granted too much. The Christ child was born to die a horrific death on the cross for you so that you can have the Holy Spirit inside of you. The Holy Spirit is the seal for your redemption. “Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession” (Ephesians 1:13-14 NIV). To have Christ in you is powerful, but you must do something with it. What is Christ calling you to do for Him? The power that lies within you is so great, but what have you done with it? It is not enough to accept Christ as your Savior and live the life you always led.
Christ wants more from you than that. He gave His life for you, so it is time for you to give up yours for Him.
Dear Lord,
During this season may we remember not only the birth of Christ, but also the fact that Christ is living within us and gives us the power to do wonderful and amazing things for Him. Let us not take it for granted, but let us be in constant prayer to know what your will is for our lives.
In Jesus’ name
Amen
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