Christmas is a very special time. It is a time of year when legions of Americans go shopping, see Santa Claus, spend time with family, eat too much food, etc... :-) Unfortunately, commercialism has significantly overshadowed the true meaning of Christmas in America
When I think about the true meaning of Christmas, I think about the unfathomable sacrifice Jesus made to provide mankind the opportunity to be in relationship with Him. What sacrifice am I referring to?
First, for Jesus to wrap himself in His own creation (a human being), is mind blowing. How does the creator become His creation? How does the God of the universe deduce Himself down to flesh and blood? The answer is LOVE. Because of our broken and sinful state, Jesus became our sacrifice, our mediator that reunited our ability to be in relationship with our heavenly Father. The prophet Isaiah details the extent of Jesus' love and sacrifice for us.
But he was pierced for our transgression, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. - Isaiah 53:5
Second, for Jesus to humble himself and stay true to his mission of providing us salvation is astonishing. Just think, by Jesus deducing himself to a human being, He could feel what we feel. Hurt, pain, loneliness, rejection and more. In the midst of experiencing these wide range of emotions, Jesus could have called down legions of angels to minister to Him, but he didn't. He could have struck dead those people who beat, mocked, and insulted him, but he didn't. All Because of His Love for us!
This is the heart of Christmas! Jesus' love for us. In response to this love, we should praise Him. We should dedicate our lives to Him. We should serve Him with everything we have. David encapsulates an appropriate response to Christ's love for us in Psalm 92:1-5.
It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp. For you make me glad by your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the works of your hands. How great are your works, O Lord, how profound your thoughts! - Psalm 92:1-5
Remember the real meaning of Christmas, and in response, offer praise to our heavenly Father for the significant sacrifice He made for us.
Merry Christmas!
When I think about the true meaning of Christmas, I think about the unfathomable sacrifice Jesus made to provide mankind the opportunity to be in relationship with Him. What sacrifice am I referring to?
First, for Jesus to wrap himself in His own creation (a human being), is mind blowing. How does the creator become His creation? How does the God of the universe deduce Himself down to flesh and blood? The answer is LOVE. Because of our broken and sinful state, Jesus became our sacrifice, our mediator that reunited our ability to be in relationship with our heavenly Father. The prophet Isaiah details the extent of Jesus' love and sacrifice for us.
But he was pierced for our transgression, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. - Isaiah 53:5
Second, for Jesus to humble himself and stay true to his mission of providing us salvation is astonishing. Just think, by Jesus deducing himself to a human being, He could feel what we feel. Hurt, pain, loneliness, rejection and more. In the midst of experiencing these wide range of emotions, Jesus could have called down legions of angels to minister to Him, but he didn't. He could have struck dead those people who beat, mocked, and insulted him, but he didn't. All Because of His Love for us!
This is the heart of Christmas! Jesus' love for us. In response to this love, we should praise Him. We should dedicate our lives to Him. We should serve Him with everything we have. David encapsulates an appropriate response to Christ's love for us in Psalm 92:1-5.
It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp. For you make me glad by your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the works of your hands. How great are your works, O Lord, how profound your thoughts! - Psalm 92:1-5
Remember the real meaning of Christmas, and in response, offer praise to our heavenly Father for the significant sacrifice He made for us.
Merry Christmas!
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