MERRY CHRISTMAS ~ A STRANGE WAY TO SAVE THE WORLD

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

This Christmas we have enjoyed seeing beautifully decorated homes,

and the sparkle of twinkle lights and glittery ornaments.

We've gone to parties with good food and fun,

made our list and checked it twice,

been in the hustle and bustle searching for that perfect gift,

and have planned, shopped, and cooked for those we love.

But have we taken the time to ponder the real reason for CHRISTmas?

The humble,

virgin birth,

of baby Jesus,

born in a manger,

and necessary to save you and me.

God is holy. Man is sinful.

The Bible teaches us that because of our sinful flesh we were condemned to die,

condemned to hell, to be eternally separated from God.

But God loves us so much,

he wants our future to be secure,

for us to be with Him in heaven for all eternity.

So Jesus, God's one and only Son, paid it ALL.

Born to die the death we deserved.

Born to die so we might live!

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 6:23

"For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did:

sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin..."

Romans 8:3

A strange way to save the world?

Jesus was born of the virgin Mary who was a poor Jewish girl.

She was engaged to Joseph, a carpenter by trade.

The angels appear to shepherds in their fields,

who were considered social outcasts, they were poor and uneducated.

Jesus wasn't born to the affluent,

or in a palace,

but in a lowly manger.

Born humble,

seeking the lowly,

the outcast,

the sinful.

Holy God prepared the way

for sin and death to be conquered

so we no longer have to live in fear, darkness, and with no hope.

We have hope because of Jesus,

the reason for this CHRISTmas season.

"The angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Luke 2:10-12

A strange way to save the world?

To us maybe.

But the only way of salvation for you and me,

and so worth celebrating!