This is the time of year people celebrate for different reasons. In ancient times there was a celebration of the winter solstice – the time of the year where the daylight hours begin to get longer. The calendar changes from one year to the next which is a turning point in people’s lives that causes celebration. Many religions celebrate this time of year for a variety of reasons. As followers of Jesus, the Lord of all creation, we celebrate because He entered the creation He made to make provision for the salvation of mankind. As good as we think we are, we do not live up to God’s holy and perfect standard. Because of our failure to live up to the creator’s standard there is a penalty to be paid. A penalty we cannot pay. We celebrate Christmas, the coming of Jesus into the world, because He is the ONLY ONE who could pay this penalty for us. We celebrate and have joy because He was born a baby into our world, lived a perfect life and then gave that life up to pay for our debt personally. This gift from God is the greatest gift of all. Nothing is better than receiving the gift of everlasting life with God. If you have received this gift – THANK HIM AND PRAISE HIM. If you have not received this gift, open your hearts and receive His free gift. It is the best and most wonderful gift.
For God so loved the world the He gave His one and 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 the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned… John 3:16-18a