What are you celebrating this Christmas season? Are you glad the year is nearly over? Are you excited over the year-end bonus check you're expecting? Are you happy you finished all your gift shopping early this year? Are the decorations on your house far better than all of your neighbors' decorations? Are you awaiting a special present from your spouse? Do you delight in the family get-togethers or the Christmas office parties?
Have you thought about Jesus any?
Have you recalled that Christmas is about Christ?
Do you know the real reason for this season is to remind all of us that we're sinners... wreteched, poor, miserable, and awaiting the judgment of God (whom we've rebelled against in thought, word and deed)?
That's right. We're sinners (Romans 3:10, 23)... and unless something amazing and miraculous happened, we would all be doomed to death and hell forever for our sins (Romans 6:23 & Revelation 20:15).
But something amazing and miraculous DID happen. Some 2,000 years ago God Himself--the Word (John 1:1-3), the second Person of the holy Trinity--became a man (John 1:14). He was supernaturally conceived in the womb of a young virgin named Mary (Luke 1:35), and He was born for one primary reason: to die in our place for our sins so that we might be forgiven by God (Ephesians 1:7), adopted into His family (Galatians 4:4-5) and so that we might draw near to God (1 Peter 3:18). We were made for His pleasure (Revelation 4:11) and glory (Isaiah 43:7)--but until we trust in Christ we cannot please God (Romans 8:8) or honor Him with our lives (1 Corinthians 10:31).
God came near (Matthew 1:23)... He took on humanity (Philippians 2:6-7)... He was born and laid in a manger (Luke 2:7)... He grew and matured (Luke 2:52)... He preached, taught, and healed (Matthew 4:23)... He proclaimed that God's Kingdom was near and accessible to all who would repent (turn from sin) and trust in the good news about God's Son (Mark 1:14-15)... He suffered and was crucified (Mark 15:15)... He died and was burried (John 19:30, 42)... and on the third day He rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:4)... 40 days later He ascended into heaven (Acts 1:3, 9)... He sits at the right hand of His Father and reigns on High until He comes again to judge the living and the dead (Hebrews 10:12, 1 Corinthians 15:25, Acts 10:42, 17:31).
Are you prepared to face this Jesus? Have you pondered that Christmas is more than just a day off and a time to give gifts to others? If not... stop, ponder, and pray: "Lord Jesus, forgive me. I am a sinner: I have sinned against You by my selfish actions and attitudes. I have done my own thing, I have gone my own way. But I humbly return to You. I bow before You for You alone are God, and You alone died for my sins on the cross. Have mercy on me, Lord Jesus. Cause me to be born again; come dwell in my heart forever, and transform me into the person You created me to be. In Your holy name I pray. AMEN."
Here is God's word: (Romans 10:9-10) For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.
FULL DISCLOSURE: Just saying the above prayer or reading it won't save you from sin's penalty (i.e. hell); but if the above prayer truly expresses your personal desire to turn away from sin and trust in the Person and work of Jesus Christ, you will be saved--God said so. But only you can repent and believe. The prayer is simply the fruit of your faith... it is the expression of your repentance and belief in God's Word.
This Christmas receive the best gift you could possible receive: the gift of eternal life. It's free to all who receive Christ by faith.
Here's hoping you have a truly blessed Christmas.
