It’s Monday evening at the Ramada Inn, in Tucson, Arizona. Brother Branham takes the opportunity to bring his Christmas message, and titles it, “Why It Had To Be Shepherd.”
During this service, he makes the following statement:
God only knows where we'll be next Christmas, if there is a next Christmas after this. So being that this might be the last Christmas we set together, until we set at another table. And It will not be one of this type, but it'll be when we eat and drink the communion anew with Him, in the Father's Kingdom at the end of the road. And then, let us approach it tonight as if this was the last Christmas message we'd ever set together in, in the deepness of sincerity.
The Lord took our beloved prophet and friend before the next Christmas. We look forward to, one day, sitting at the Lord’s Table with Brother Branham. Until that time, the Lord Jesus has stored up this Food to sustain us and encourage us in the battle.
Here are a few highlights from Brother Branham’s Christmas message, Why It Had To Be Shepherd.
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
A person that will say one thing and believe another, it's hypocrisy. We must always speak the truth from our heart. That when people look upon us, even though they disagree with us, we want to be honorable man and women: that we speak from our heart, that which is true in our hearts.
The great thing, all the Word of God fits right together. If it doesn't fit together, it's not God's Word that's misfit, it's your thought is misfitting to the Word. It all fits together.
But it pleased God, by His infinite wisdom, to reveal It to such as would receive It. The scholars, and wise man of that day would certainly would not have received It.
There's only one thing that rules over all, and that's God's Word. If you are thinking contrary to the Word, forget your thinking. Think on the Word.
The Word of the Lord God, the unchanging God, never does change. Anywhere in the Bible, the Word of God always did come to prophets. Not to theologians or doctors, to prophets! And they always, every time, was refused and rejected.
…a sheep is perfectly helpless, he cannot go by himself. That's the reason God likened His believing children unto sheep. They've got to be guided. But watch what's guiding you! Don't get a goat, he'll walk you to the slaughterpen.
For God in His Word is one, and Jesus and God was one, and you and I and the Word must be one. That's right. We must be one in agreement with the Word. Not what somebody else says, this is no private interpretation. Take It, what It says, and believe It; and God will vindicate It, and prove that It's right.
Man and women, God promised in this last days that He'd pour out His Spirit upon all flesh. He promised He'd send the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, and He'd call a Bride without spot or wrinkle. He promised to do it, He'll do it. Don't listen to these hireling shepherds, they'll lead you astray. The Holy Spirit is the Shepherd to feed you sheep food from this Word. It always comes by the Shepherd. He is our Shepherd. Listen to Him, you are the sheep of His fold; if you are, you hear His Voice. Not what somebody else says, you hear what He says. A strange voice, you know nothing about it.
Put Jesus Christ the Great Shepherd-prophet back into the Christmas where It belongs.
May it happen, brother; may it happen, sister; may it happen, my friend; be filled with God's Spirit. What difference does it make what anybody else says? Remember, it's your life.
I offer myself to God, tonight, with all my heart, with all that's in me. I don't have very much to give; I can't bring frankincense, myrrh, and gold, 'cause I have none. But all I have in myself that God give me, this life, I dedicate it to Him afresh tonight, upon the manger of His Word in my heart; and promise Him, to stand with that Word, if He'll let me live another year, just as faithful as I can stand; preach every bit of It, and believe every bit of It; so, help me, God. Will you do the same with me?
Now, remember, during Christmas, worship the Lord Jesus. Worship Him in the Power of His resurrection.