... It's a Christmas miracle!!
God always knows how to make a day of celebration a day of real celebration! Our church had their annual candle light service tonight and one of the visitors got saved!! There's nothing better than getting the gift of life on Christmas. I love watching God work, it's beautiful.
Somewhere around 2,000 years ago, a baby was born. Not just any baby, this one was special. He was born as a sacrifice. The Jews in those days lived under the Law and had many different sacrifices they would perform. This sacrifice, though, would over-rule the Law and set up a new way of doing things. Everyone expected this sacrifice to break them from their Roman captors. He was expected to bring down the government and set up His own. And when He didn't do it their way, they despised and rejected Him. They slaughtered Him as they would any other animal, not like an animal for a sacrifice. But God didn't have to have the Jew's approval.
This sacrifice did break them from their captivity- He came to break them from the bonds of sin, from being under the Law. He gave them life. But because it wasn't what they were expecting they decided they didn't need Him. So this sacrifice which was born to die to forgive all mankind should they choose to be forgiven, went in our place as the ultimate Sacrifice. He took on the sins of all and only asked to let them drink of everlasting waters. He asked to take their sins and to forgive them, yet He was still rejected by many.
The rejection still continues. Now honestly, I don't blame many for being skeptical- at first. I myself am much too cynical when it comes to believing people. But I can't imagine these people seeing Him fulfill prophecy single to the Messiah and not believe. Sin has a horrible way of putting scales on our eyes. Even after a person's salvation, Jesus can still be rejected. "No, I don't want to follow You, it's too hard." "I don't want to give this sin up, I'm too addicted." "It's okay, I'll just trust myself from here." If there were a show of hands for those who have done or said this, both of my hands would be raised.
This Christmas, instead of becoming overly focused on commercialism, presents, food, I want to be focused on what I can give to God. It is better to give than to receive, so what can I give? Start with a humble heart willing to surrender. Willing to recognize that God is all-powerful, all-knowing and surrender to His will and to His way.
What are you giving for Christmas?
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