"Spring Up, O Well!"

"As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee." (Psalms 87:7)
The greatest Gift ever given! Isn't that what this is meant to be about? For over four hundred years God said nothing, and then He presents His Gift to the world; and what a night that must have been! Isaiah 9:6 says, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Say what you will about Christmas, but something that causes the world to stop and celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, is something to celebrate. No matter what you might think about it's origin or it's commercialism, it is more than a holiday, it's a time of celebration; to celebrate the Greatest Gift the world has ever been given! Make that your focus for today, that God gave us His Son, and today is the day to celebrate His birth. Whether that involves exchanging gifts, or just giving to others, make it about the love God has given, first and foremost. The title that I have chosen for today is more than just a song, it's also part of a very wonderful song in Scripture, Numbers 21:17: "Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it." That's what I am talking about, The River of Life! It is meant to flow into us and out of us; it does not stop at us or in us, it must flow through us! So what if this is not the day of His actual birth; it's a time honored to celebrate, so make it a celebration. Interesting enough, the portion of Scripture that has the time when Moses lifted up the Bronze Snake is also in Numbers 21, not to long before the children of Israel sang that song. It might not have been a very pretty sight to look upon, Jesus hanging upon that cross, but it pleased the Father. God's perfect Son put on display, in the worse way possible, but in the very way for you and I. That is what He was born for, to do the will of the Father, and to give up His life for you and for me. This is what we must celebrate...
"So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law. Listen! I, Paul, tell you this: If you are counting on circumcision to make you right with God, then Christ will be no benefit to you. I'll say it again. If you are trying to find favor with God be being circumcised, you must obey every regulation in the whole law of Moses. For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from grace. But we who live by the Spirit eagerly await to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised us. For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love." (Galatians 5:1-6) NLT