I love Christmas! It is an outrageous celebration, outrageously expensive, and, without a doubt, absolutely distorted from the real ‘reason for the season.’ The truth is, many in America and around the world don’t have a clue about the real reason for this season of celebrations, decorations, donations, and gift-giving! Some think it’s all about the myth of Santa Claus and his sleigh, delivering toys to kids around the world. Others think it’s just a clever marketing strategy by business owners, hoping to sell record numbers of toys, dolls, and children's clothing for children of every age. And, not so surprisingly, there are a faithful number who remember the ‘reason for the season,’ which is, of course, the birth of the Christ Child, Jesus.
Jesus was the prophesied Messiah, who was God’s ‘cure’ for the fatal disease of the sin of humanity. We were created in purity and innocence by the hand of God, and he intended that we would live with him into eternity, in a loving, nurturing relationship. He would bless us and teach us the wonders of the universe, and we would all, literally, “live happily ever after!” Unfortunately, it was not too long before man rejected God’s leadership and chose to disobey God, thus causing a separation between man and God. Mankind was cast out of the Garden of Eden and was destined to live apart from God, struggling for an existence on a now-unfriendly planet. There was nothing man could do to ‘fix’ the problem, no matter how hard he tried. It was over almost as soon as it began! The ways of sin consumed us all, and we as a people have struggled for joy in this life ever since.
But God wasn’t finished with us! In his wisdom, he set in motion a plan to save sinful man: There would come an anointed one, Jesus the Messiah, who would be born through a miraculous conception, by a young woman, Mary, and her husband, Joseph. This special child would grow to live a perfect life and give himself up as the perfect sacrifice for our sin when he was crucified on the cross. This sacrifice would cover the stain of our sin and would, once again, enable all mankind to walk with God. God’s plan was that man might come to him and confess his sin, and turn over the leadership of his life to the God who created us all. In this ‘gift’ of the Messiah, and what came to be called the Salvation of God, He began to work, re-creating man in the image of his son, the Messiah, Jesus. By this process, God would cleanse us of sin, give us a new heart, and create within us the desire and ability to live a new life, which is the old life that God originally planned. This is the “reason for the season;’ which is a truly outrageous gift!
Let me encourage you to celebrate this outrageous season by receiving the wonderful gift of Salvation through the Christ Child, the One who grew to become Jesus, the Savior of the World. God loves you, desires to save you and give you a new life, and uses you to bless those in your life. This is the very best life for you, because it is the life you were created to live!
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