Today was the day that before the creation of the world was divinely set apart to set in motion the redemptive story of Grace.
The Bible tells us in Revelation 13:8 that the Lamb (Jesus) was slain from the foundation of the world. Before God created the world there was a conversation in Heaven, a conversation that the angels still marvel at and long to look in to. What would happen when man rebelled and wanted to be his own god?
I can just see it now, all the heavenly hosts going completely silent as their precious King Jesus humbly tells the Father, "I'll go." Jesus selflessly saying, I'll go redeem these sinful and rebellious people to pay the penalty that they deserve, taking upon myself all of their sin and shame, all the while angels being dumbfounded in complete awe and adoration of their Lord as He once again exemplifies true love.
Who would have ever thought of that? The court case comes and the judge chooses to leave the bench and go to prison instead… Not only was He going to pay the penalty, He voluntarily left His heavenly throne to come down to be born as a man into a poverty stricken, fallen world to dwell amongst the very beings that spurned His command. Why? His great Love that's why, it's who He is, He didn't know any differently, it's His nature, He is Love.
He came to show the way, He came to be the way, He came to pay the price that you never could to redeem you back to the Father. I've always been taught that the true joy in Christmas was giving, but that could never be further from the truth. The true joy in Christmas is receiving, receiving the true gift of Christmas in Christ Himself.
There was no Christmas tree when this day was born, there were no presents, there was no santa, there was no rejoicing throughout the world, and there was also no room for the God of the universe in the inn. How sad it is to see people today who miss this, who miss the fact that rejecting the perfect gift of Jesus is the same as saying there is no room for God in their lives.
The only gift of Christmas that has ever mattered or will ever matter is the one that came to this world wrapped in a manger and in the end that is what Christmas is all about, the birth of the Savior of the World, the coming of the King!
When we truly receive the true gift of Christmas, this enables an overflow from the heart to give generously and abundantly as we follow our Savior, finding more joy in serving rather than being served.
Is Jesus the True gift under your tree?
Merry Christmas and God Bless!
-Robert
