双语灵修（葛培理牧师）：12月25日 圣诞意义

12月25日

圣诞意义

所以神将祂升为至高，又赐给祂那超乎万名之上的名，叫一切在天上的，地上的，和地底下的，因耶稣的名，无不屈膝，无不口称耶稣基督为主，使荣耀归与父神。

腓立比书2:9-11

上帝藉着祂的儿子耶稣基督向我们说话。“上帝……就在这末世，藉着祂儿子晓谕我们”（希伯来书1:1-2）。上帝有一天会来到这个地上的计划是一个古老的真理，毫无疑问，这是上帝最初给亚当启示的有关救赎应许（创世记3:15）的口头遗留。我们在世界上大多数宗教中都能找到对它的粗略引用，这表明人类曾经听说过或感觉到上帝将会来到地上。然而，直到“时候满足”，当所有条件都具备、所有预言都应验时，上帝才“差遣祂的儿子，为女子所生”（加拉太书4:4）。

在伯利恒的第一个圣诞夜，“上帝在肉身显现”（提摩太前书3:16）。这就是耶稣基督的显现。关于基督，圣经说：“神本性一切的丰盛，都有形有体地居住在基督里面”（歌罗西书2:9）。上帝的这种显现是迄今为止上帝给予世人的最完整的启示。如果你想知道上帝是什么样的，那就仔细看看耶稣基督吧。在祂身上不仅显明在创造时所展现的完美——例如智慧、能力和威严——而且还显明了正义、怜悯、恩典和爱。“道成了肉身，住在我们中间”（约翰福音1:14）。

耶稣对祂的门徒说：“你们信神，也当信我”（约翰福音14:1）。这种信的顺序是理所当然的。如果我们相信神的创造和神所说的话，我们就会相信神所差来的那一位。

今日祷告：

天父，正如祢差遣耶稣降卑自己来到世上，成为人的样式，为我们而死。求祢也帮助我们，彼此谦卑。并使用我们来成就祢的旨意和荣耀；奉耶稣的名，阿们。

December 25

THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,and given him a name which is above every name:that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,of things in heaven,and things in earth,and things under the earth;and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,to the glory of God the Father.Philippians 2:9-11

God speaks to us in the person of His Son Jesus Christ.“God…hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son”(Hebrews 1:1-2).The idea that God would someday visit this planet is an ancient truth that is no doubt an oral remnant of the original revelation God gave to Adam of a promised salvation(Genesis 3:15).We find crude references to it in most religions of the world,indication that man at some time had heard or sensed that God would visit the earth.However,it was not until the“fullness of the time”when all the conditions were right,when all the prophetic considerations were fulfilled,that God“sent forth his Son,made of a woman”(Galatians 4:4).

On that first Christmas night in Bethlehem,“God was manifest in the flesh”(1 Timothy 3:16).This manifestation was in the person of Jesus Christ.The Scripture says concerning Christ,“In him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily”(Colossians 2:9).This manifestation of God is by far the most complete revelation God ever gave to the world.If you want to know what God is like,then take a long look at Jesus Christ.In Him were displayed not only the perfections that had been exhibited in the creation-such as wisdom,power,and majesty-but also such perfections as justice,mercy,grace,and love.“The logos[Word]was made flesh and dwelt among us”(John 1:14).

To His disciples Jesus said,“Ye believe in God,believe also in me”(John 14:1).This sequence of faith is inevitable.If we believe in what God made and what God said,we will believe in the One whom God sent.

Pray for the Day:

Father,just as You sent Jesus into the world to humble Himself and become a man and die for us,so also help us to be humble before one another.Use us for Your purpose and Your glory;in Jesus’Name,Amen.