The Gift of God
Christmas is first of all a celebration of God’s love toward man. The babe in the manger is more than a tender child. He is the image of God, the prototokos. He took on a body of human flesh so that he might bear in that body the sins of the world. He made possible the gift of God — eternal life (Romans 6:23). That is the heart of the Christmas message.
Don’t get lost in the scope of it all. The incarnation of God in Jesus Christ is nothing if it is not personal. God loves you individually. He knows you better than you know yourself, yet He loves you. He entered this world, took on human flesh, and died on a cross to bear your sin, to pay the penalty for your iniquity, to remove your guilt. He did it so that you might enter into His presence.
You must respond.
He calls you to respond in faith. Turn from your sin to Him. “The Lord is not slow about His promise (to judge the earth) — but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
Believe Him, and trust Him with your life. John 3:36 tells us, “He who believes in the Son has eternal life, but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him. He who created everything will make you a new creature, remolded in His image, with new desires and a new heart.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature, the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.” Your life will never be the same.
And this Christmas will truly be a time to celebrate, for you will have the greatest gift you can ever receive. Romans 3:24 says, “Being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is Christ Jesus.”
Take another look at the manger this Christmas. Look beyond the tender scene and see what Jesus Himself knew even before He came – that He was born to die. He died for you. He bore your sin. He purchased your salvation. He guaranteed your sanctification. He destroyed your enemy. And He became a sympathetic high priest. Right now He is seated next to the Father in heaven, ready to make intercession for you.
This is God’s gift to you.