As many of you know, we have been going through a sermon series based on Isaiah 9:6 and the names given to Jesus by his Father. We know and believe that the events leading up to the birth of Christ were not coincidental, but were put in place by God. In fact, God was so anxious to let the world know about His son, that he announced Jesus’ arrival 700 years before it actually happened. And everything that happened, from the time the census was ordered, to everyone going home to their own city to register, to the birth of Jesus while Joseph & Mary were in Bethlehem, was orchestrated by God. Out of Bethlehem, a small town, meaning “House of Bread”, came the Messiah, the Bread of Life. His birth was the beginning of something incredible. To think that Jesus Christ, the only Begotten Son of God, would leave His throne in glory, take on human flesh just to bring salvation for those would accept Him and reconcile us to God, blows my mind! He came into this world as a helpless baby, grew into a toddler, then a teenager before growing into an adult and experienced humanity at all levels so that He could truly identify with each of us in all stages of life. That very first Christmas, God gave the greatest gift that we would ever receive… His Son! And His Son turned around and gave the gift of His life – which was why He came. Because of this, we can have relationship with God. Because of Jesus Christ, we are Sons and Daughters of the Most High God! AMEN!! So this Christmas, let’s remember the ‘True’ Christmas story, which led to the ‘True’ Easter story. No matter how “worldly” the world around us is becoming, trying to make this season the “unnamed” holiday, let us boldly proclaim the truth about the birth of Jesus. The true reason for the season, and keep CHRIST in in CHRISTmas !