Most Loving Lord, I find it interesting that during the Christmas Season I celebrate Your coming yet there are two other comings spoken of in the scriptures. One is Your return at the end of time which will usher in a new Heaven, a new Earth and Your taking of Your rightful place as “King of Kings”. But there is a third visitation which is important as well. It’s Your coming into our hearts and dwelling with us each day. Through a relationship with You, I am able to take advantage of Your offer to help guide my life. As My Lord, I’ve welcomed You into my daily activities, thoughts and relationships. What a wonderful Christmas gift this is. By my faith in You, all sorts of wondrous opportunities for hope, a better life, and access to things I never dreamed possible have been opened to me. The promise of salvation has restored me to good standing and has made me an heir to everything You have.
The best gift I could ever receive is the one expressed in the scriptures which state … “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save it through Him.” In these verses, everything important that we need to know as Christians is contained in them. They tell me that the God-kind of love is not self-centered … rather, it reaches out to pull me into Himself. They express true, unselfish love which is a gift to be treasured. When I love another sincerely like You, it is easy for me to forgive fully … even at personal sacrifice. The greatest gift You could share with me is Your dying for me so I can share eternity with You. You suffered greatly for my sins and now You’ve gifted me with Your forgiveness. That kind of forgiveness is a calling I cannot reach without Your help.
Some people are repulsed by the idea of a gift of eternal life because their lives are so miserable that they cannot imagine experiencing it for all of eternity. In reality, eternal life is not an extension of a person’s miserable, mortal life. It offers freedom from evil, emotional ups and downs, the failures of others and our own personal weaknesses. And, it replaces them with peace, safety and true joy. Others fear having to live up to Your high standards and not being able to achieve them. You’ve tried to help them overcome this stumbling block by explaining that the essence of the law can be condensed into two commands … love God and love your fellow man. This does not seem too onerous to me. I am so glad that I accepted Your offer of a gift too glorious for me to even imagine. My acceptance of You as My Lord has helped me experience the true joy of Christmas. And it’s in Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN!!
Luke 2:10-11 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.”