“When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned… For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and His gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.”
Rom. 5:12,17
All of us have sinned. All of us have fallen short. Adam’s sin in the Garden left the stain of sin on all of mankind. This was a dangerous place for the state of our souls. Rom. 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” Because of the original sin, we were all born with a death sentence.
This is why Christmas is so special, especially to Believers. Yes, gifts under the tree are a positive thing. I cannot think of anyone who does not like to receive a gift, especially if the gift is something to be desired. But for the Believer, Christmas is beyond the gifts, beyond the tree, beyond the caroling, and beyond the festivities. For the Believer, Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, an event that would begin to reveal the plan of God that would remove the death sentence for all who would believe.
As I mentioned in a previous blog, amongst the gifts that will be under our tree at home, the gifts of joy, hope, peace, and love that Jesus brings will be at the forefront. This truly is a season to be excited, especially when you consider the type of year that we have all experienced.
This season is also a season to say, “thank you” for the gift of Jesus. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” He GAVE, so we ought to say, “thank you!” How do we say thank you? Aside from a verbal declaration of thanks, we can say thank you by our actions. By loving one another, giving to one another, and praying for one another. These are expressions of love, and these gifts (love, joy, peace, and hope) that we have received, we ought to freely give.
Jesus is THE reason for the season!
Isaiah 9
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on His shoulders. And He will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.