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Some 2,000 years ago, the Jewish people in the Middle East had a hope:
a king sent from God. This was mentioned in their ancient scrolls, and
this king would come as a descendant of their King David - the
king from long ago they so loved and respected. This expectant king was described by their
prophets as one who would be their savior and one who would set the captives
free.
In those days suddenly a lot of homecoming members of king David's clan suddenly arrived at
the little town of Bethlehem. That was because Caesar Augustus of the Roman
Empire, which ruled the Jews at the time, issued a decree that a census would
be taken, and that everyone must register in his native town. Joseph and
Mary, who was large with child, hence also arrived at Bethlehem from Galilee,
since Joseph was King David's descendant.
There in Bethelem, Mary, who was still a virgin, gave birth to a baby boy -
just as what an angel had told her before she was pregnant. This also fulfilled
the prophesy in the Jewish scrolls concerning the birth place of the savior.
On the night that Jesus was born, there were some shepherds tending their
sheep in the fields nearby. Suddenly an angel appeared to them,
with light shining all around. The shepherds were terrified, but the angel
told them that he came to tell them some good news: a savior had been born
to them, and they could find him in Bethelem. And the sign to them would be
that the baby was wrapped in cloths, lying in a manger.
When the shepherds hurried to Bethelem and found Mary and Joseph, and
the baby lying in a manger, just as the angel had said.
At age thirty, Jesus started proclaiming His purpose of coming
to earth, which was to let people know this: the God who created all things
and gave life to humans, loves every person. However, since everyone has
sinned. And no matter the sin is big or small, whether it is murdering
or just telling lies or looking down on others, it is a sin in God's eyes.
As a result humans cannot enjoy eternal life. But God is love, and in order
that humans could enjoy abundant life and an eternal life instead of eternal
torture and punishment, He sent His only son Jesus to earth to become a
scapegoat to be tortured and put to death on the cross.
As a result, every person, no matter how impure and unclean, or how much sin
he has committed, he just needs to confess to God that he is sinful and
believes in Jesus Christ, and the blood shed by Jesus can cleanse all his
sin. And he is pardoned and accepted by God, receiving eternal life.
When Jesus was on earth, he prophesied that He would be killed, and that He
would rise again on the third day. These were all fulfilled, proving that
He truly was the son of God sent to earth.
That is the true meaning of Christmas!
Dear friend, do you want to have eternal life?
Do you want God to pardon all your sins and wrongdoings?
>>Yes<<