Our Lord’s Birthday

"After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem ... On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh" — Mt 2:1,11 NIV.

Christmas 2005 AD

How do we apply this worshipful, gift-giving aspect of the Lord’s birthday to Christmas today?  Worship bespeaks love and that which is most God-pleasing is our love-motivated obedience.  Jesus Himself tells us: "If you love me, you will obey what I command" — Jn 14:15.  If we obediently imbibe on God’s Word, we will be rich in truth and have much “gold” to offer (Jn 15:5; 1Co 3:12; Re 3:18).  Incense burned on the Temple’s altar spoke of the prayers of God’s holy people; a sweet fragrance in His nostrils.  We can give Him “incense” today by living prayerful and holy lives: "Praying without ceasing and striving in the Spirit to obey God’s command to Be ye holy; for I am holy" — 1Th 5:17; 1Pe 1:16.  Myrrh, a fragrant ingredient in anointing oil, was also used to prepare Jesus’ crucified body for burial.

The “myrrh” aspect of our worship today is best evidenced by living the crucified and Spirit-anointed life.  As the apostle Paul frames it: "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me ... Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour" — Gal 2:20; Eph 5:1,2.

Let’s Celebrate Jesus’ birthday by being Christians!

ABOUT US:  Founded in 1993, Hallelujah Living Ministries is a donation-based, non-denominational Christian outreach to uplift, inform and challenge followers of Jesus Christ.  For more information or a copy of our always-free print newsletter, please include a  postal mail address along with your comments and prayer requests. Thank you for visiting This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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