Romans 8:32
Since he did not spare even his own Son for us but gave him up for us all, won’t he also surely give us everything else?
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
For the last 25 days (or
longer, for those who put up their trees around Halloween!), we have
celebrated Christmas with family members and friends. We’ve decorated
our homes…sent greeting cards…shopped…baked…eaten delectable
foods…wrapped gifts…presented and enjoyed holiday programs…attended
parties…worshipped together…and shared gifts and merriment with each
other. We've celebrated Jesus’ birthday, lit the advent candle, and sung carols to herald His arrival.
The
festivities will continue for a few more days for some of us. For
others, it’s all over but the clean-up! But honestly, Christmas isn’t
over for any who believe in Jesus Christ. In fact…it’s just beginning!
God
knew when He sent Jesus to earth that His would not be an easy life.
He knew that there would be ridicule, misunderstanding, persecution…and a
crucifixion. And He sent Jesus anyway. He sent His Son as a tiny baby
so that we could fully see perfection in human form – from the cradle
to adulthood. Physically, God wanted Jesus to be “one of us.” But all
along, God knew that Jesus would suffer and die for us…that He would
shed His blood as the perfect Lamb - sacrificed for our sins.
God
didn’t just send a baby and say, “Here you go folks…figure out the
rest!” He knew all along just how things would happen – and why. And
that’s why “Christmas” doesn’t end today…or tomorrow…or next week or
next year. When we know Jesus as our Savior, every day is
“Christmas”…and a gift from God Almighty.
Someone noted today
on Facebook that historically, Jesus probably was born in the spring -
not in December…that December 25 is likely not actually Jesus’ real
birth date. It doesn’t matter what day has been chosen to mark the
birth of our Savior. It doesn’t change the fact that some 2050 years
ago, God sent His Son - against all odds - to save us from our sins.
And He has been in the “giving” business ever since.
I don’t
understand God’s grace and generosity. I cannot explain His mercy…or
why He continues to bless us with abundance. It is beyond my
comprehension that God’s gift of Jesus was not enough…that He continues
to meet our every need and lavish us with gifts that we will never
deserve. I honestly don’t know why God didn’t dust off His hands after
sending Jesus to earth and basically say, “Merry Christmas…and to all a
Good Night!” and be done with us. But I’m very glad that He didn’t.
God
loves us beyond anything we can comprehend. He sent Jesus to show us
how to live and serve…and to die for our sins. And now, God walks with
us each and every day…hears our prayers…heals us in every sense of the
word…and blesses us beyond human understanding. I don’t understand His
generosity…but I will never doubt it!
So take down the tree…and
pack away the lights, tinsel and decorations for the next few months.
But don’t pack away “Christmas.” Let the spirit of God’s greatest Gift
live on in your heart each and every day. Embrace His gift of
Salvation…and watch His blessings and abundance flow in your life. Live
and serve with gratitude for such an amazing Gift…and make every day a
reason to celebrate! Merry Christmas!
©2016 Debbie Robus
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