Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, friends!

Today is such an exciting day because it is the day when Christ was born over 2,000 years ago. God knew we could never be sinless on our own, and thus we were condemned to eternal punishment in hell. But He sent His Son to the earth to be born, live a sinless life, die on the cross, and rise again to pay for all our sins.

…while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6 NASB)

We didn’t deserve for Jesus to redeem us from our sins because we would essentially turn against Him with every sin we would commit. He knew that. But He chose to lay down His life for us in spite of knowing.

When we choose to accept His offer of salvation by trusting in His death, resurrection, and complete payment for our sins, we belong to Him. We are no longer separated by sin, and nothing can change that. When God looks at us, He no longer sees our wicked hearts. Instead, He sees His Son’s righteousness, which fully covers us. This doesn’t mean we won’t sin anymore; rather, it means that when we do sin, we can simply ask for forgiveness and be cleansed. 

Christmas Day is so special because it is the day He came to earth and entered our sinful, broken world. He chose to do this for us.

I would highly recommend reading Luke 1-2 today to remember all the details of the Christmas story, but here is the shortened version from Matthew:

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.” And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus. (Matthew 1:18-25 NASB)

I hope this true story inspires, encourages, and strengthens you during this holiday season. Merry Christmas!