I hope all of you had a great Christmas! I was meaning to write something yesterday, but I got caught up watching a movie with my brothers. I don’t want to be long, but I do want to share some of my thoughts. Yesterday was Christmas and the Holiday is a reason for joy. There’s a lot of excitement surrounding the day and the Holidays in general. Family reunions, gifts, decorations, and joy are all representative of the Holidays. But I’m happy that we have a reason to celebrate. That reason is Jesus.
Jesus Christ is the reason we celebrate the Holidays. Everything else surrounding the Holidays is great, but knowing that God has given us salvation and eternal life through Jesus is what makes it worthwhile. It’s what makes life worthwhile. More than two thousand years ago God saw our strife and suffering. He saw us walking towards hell without hope and He decided to come down from heaven to save us.
Jesus had humble beginnings. The King of kings didn’t arrive in luxury. He was born in a manger surrounded by His mother Mary, and her husband Joseph, and animals. They were unable to find a lodge in time and had to resort to spending the night in a stable. Jesus wasn’t brought to earth with five-star treatment but His mother and Joseph were awaiting His arrival with much joy. A Savior was born.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6
None of us can buy our way into heaven. It doesn’t matter who you are, how much money you have, or how many good deeds you perform. Salvation is out of our reach because the Bible says that, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23). Good deeds are good but they alone can’t save us. That’s what distinguishes Christianity from other religions. Other religions emphasize works as a means to salvation while the Bible turns this notion upside down.
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. – Galatians 2:16
I don’t want to minimize the importance of works because they are good. But works without love are not meaningful. Love is what compels any human to act in a genuine way. Imagine working for a boss that treats you horribly. You’ll follow their commands if you want a job, but what’s your attitude when carrying out those commands? You feel burdened and frustrated. No one wants to work for a boss like this. But what about working for a boss that treats you well? You’ll feel a sense of happiness and you might even go up to them and ask them, “How can I help you? What else can I serve you in?”
Works are good and once we’re believers, the Bible also places a strong emphasis on the need to follow God’s will and bear fruit. But works are a byproduct of realizing God’s immense love for you us. Works come naturally when we realize just how much God loves us and the lengths He was willing to endure to demonstrate that love. Without love there can’t be genuine faith. Without love we will never experience God the way He wants us to experience Him.
Christmas and the Holidays are great times of joy. But it’s also a time to refocus. It’s a time to remember why we celebrate and that reason is Jesus. Jesus gave His life for us out of love. He endured the cross, the pain, humiliation, the rejection out of love for you and me. God loved us so much that when He saw our pain He decided to do something about it. He came down from His throne save us.
Jesus walked this earth like you and me. He laughed, He cried, He experienced hardship, and loss, and He experienced happiness. He came to show us that He knows what it’s like to be human. During the final moments of His life here on earth He was rejected and beaten. They mocked Him and humiliated Him. He was scarred and bleeding His final drops of blood as He hung on a cross with His arms outstretched towards a humanity that didn’t love Him. But He did it out of love for you and me.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. – John 3:16-17
Share this post with others and make sure you follow us on Instagram and Facebook. You can support the platform by clicking here. Until next time, God bless you!
