The Christmas Story

     Christmas is only a day away and so I wanted to share a recent drama skit I loved being a part of at my Church's annual Christmas Spectacular. Most of us know the story of baby Jesus being born around this time in a stable and sleeping in a manger in the little town of Bethlehem. But there is so much more to the story and we wanted to portray why and what made God's gift to us so incredibly special. 

     You see here we are on Earth and God is up above in Heaven. God knew that no matter what we do, we could never be good enough to stand before Him truly innocent. So here is the incredible part: God himself came down to be with us and became a person and then that separation we had from Him was broken. 

     No longer would anyone ever be able to say God doesn't know what I go through... because that's exactly what His son Jesus did. Jesus who was perfect in every way, left His Father and Home to come down to us and be with us and endured all of life's struggles and ultimately death, for me... and for you. 

     No longer does anyone have to go to a higher priest or person to get to God. No religious ceremony, no rituals... just Jesus. I no longer have to be good enough, try harder, or do more to get favor with God. I just have to accept His gift. Isn't that a relief? God came down, and came for everyone. He loves us that much. 

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. / John 1:14

     But the interesting part of the story was how He came. Most people thought the Messiah (Jesus) would come as a rich ruler or famous king or warrior... but a baby? That was just so... completely opposite of what everyone thought. That's the thing with God... He doesn't always do things how we would.  

     And so this event in which God would send His son to Earth among us, was so incredible in that He would save us from our sins, and bring us Life .... that you can imagine it wasn't too pleasing to the devil. He along with his dark powers and spirits did try to stop Jesus's mission at every moment they had, including His birth. 

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. / Ephesians 6:12

     As you watch the video, the first part shows two angels leading Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem and protecting them while Jesus is born. The devil and his demons are then introduced to portray that the devil was always scheming and trying to get to Jesus. 

     Then you see the angel Gabriel warning Joseph that He must take Mary and Jesus and escape to Egypt, because in the next scene you will see King Herod ordering that all baby boys of a certain age are to be killed. (You see the devil and his demons constantly watching over this). 

     Finally the last scene shows the angels and the demons battling in spiritual warfare and when the devil tries to get to baby Jesus, God's army defeats them.

     The story of Christmas is about God coming down to us. God loving us so much that He gave Himself as the only thing we would ever need. Jesus plus nothing. And that is the most beautiful gift anyone could ever receive. I wish you all a beautiful Christmas... enjoy the video below!