In a world that is more unstable than most of us have known it in living memory, this Christmas maybe a time to consider again how to make sense of life, death, hope, mercy, love, forgiveness and reconciliation.
How does a baby born in a stable help us make sense of our 21st century world? The world certainly needs a stable influence…..
There are three things that the coming of God as a baby at Bethlehem tells us. Despite the busyness and chaos that often characterizes our Christmas season, God wants it to be a time of celebration. What did the angel say to the shepherds to announce the birth of Jesus? “I bring you good news of great joy, and it’s for everybody.” But what is that great news? What are we supposed to celebrate?
First, God loves you. John 3:16, says, “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” That’s good news. God so loved the world. And that’s why he sent Jesus. He was on a mission of love. The Bible says God is love. He doesn’t just have love. He is love. It is his nature. God created the entire universe just so he could create the human race - you and me - and love us. You were created to be an object of God’s love. God made you to love you. It’s the only reason you’re alive. And his love isn’t based on what you do. His love is based on who he is. God is love. His love is based on his character, not your performance. You can’t make God stop loving you. You can try, but you can’t do it. The Bible makes it very, very clear that God loves you. God sent Jesus to Earth to one day stretch out his arms and die for your and my sins. We will never fully comprehend how much God loves us. It’s like an ant trying to understand the Internet. You don’t have the brain capacity to understand how much God loves you.
Second, God is with you.
God is with you all the time. We may not feel his presence, but that doesn’t make it any less true. The Bible says Jesus’ name was to be called Emmanuel, which means, “God is with us.” How many of you have been abandoned in life? But know that God will never abandon you – never ever. Jesus truly was “God with us.” And he is still with us today. God says, “I not only love you. I’m with you all the time.” It means you don’t have to face anything today or ever by yourself. You can if you don’t invite God’s presence into the situation – but you don’t have to. When God is near, it removes your fear. You don’t have to worry or be anxious about what’s coming next. To all who received Him, who believed in His name, to them he gave power to become children of God.” Are you a child of God yet? Have you received Him?
Third, God is for you.
God’s on your side. He wants us to succeed. Jesus said: “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it” (John 3:17 NLT).Many people are afraid of God. They get nervous when people start talking about God. You know why? It’s guilt. Guilt separates us from God. We think, “If I get close to God, he’s going to scold me. He’s going to remind me of all the things I’ve done wrong. He’s going to tell me the bad stuff.” But the Bible says Jesus didn’t come to condemn the world. He came to save it. He says, “I didn’t come to scold you. I came to save you.” That’s good news. And if God is for us, who can be against us?
Christians are called to help save others from the consequences of their sins. And so did you. That’s what God says your role is when you become a follower of Christ; not condemning the world – there’s far too much of that about.
We need to celebrate this Christmas. Jesus’ birth was – and is – good news of great joy. And it’s for everybody, whatever our background. It’s good news of great joy for all people because God says, “I love you, I’m with you, and I’m for you.”
All we need to do is to say: ”YES LORD,” thank Him for His love and invite him into your heart and life to journey with you , to give you new hope.
Will you do that and let Him into your heart and life today? It’s simple to do – ASK Him; Trust Him; Receive Him, follow Him. He has a book out – the Bible which explains who He is and what He has done for you. Read it – it will lead you to Him. Have you received Him? Here’s a prayer you can pray to take the step of getting to know him personally
“Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner, and I need your forgiveness. Thank you for dying on the cross to take away my sins. Thank you for your gift of new life. I now take your gift; I ask you to come into my life by Your Holy Spirit: come in today, come in to stay, and I trust and follow you as my Lord and Saviour. Guide my life and help me to do your will. In your name, Amen.”
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