Most of us think we are just fine without Christ, even many Christians. Oh, we may need a little tweaking, but other than that we are pretty good. If life is lived within that self-promoting silo of thought there is a broad way and a road to hell that leads to eternal destruction at the end of it. Congratulations. Your scratch-off ticket just paid less than zero. In fact, you owe God; God does not owe you anything.
The reason I bring this up is because it is the very essence of Christmas! In the traffic of life and the hustle of society a powerful birth rocked the world for those who were paying attention. Angels proclaimed to awe-struck shepherds, “unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior which is Christ the Lord!” Why would shepherds need a Messiah, a Savior? Weren’t they basically good people?
Christmas is more than time with family and friends, a good meal, presents and holiday traditions. It is the commemoration of that stark moment in history when God reached down into the darkness, and once again He commanded the Light to shine. He chose. He loved. He made the first move. And He did it when we thought we were actually doing pretty well on our own. For those that would believe. Christ came for everyone, but He only redeems those that choose Him back.
Think about God’s intentions toward us for a moment. Paul described it best when he said “But God commends his love towards s, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) Christ came. Christ died. Christ rose. Christ lives. Christ. Wants. Us!
We can mask the real story in several different ways. First we can ignore it completely, despite the fact that earthly calendars are written around it. BC. Before Christ. AD. Anno Domini. We can substitute Saint Nick and secular idols for the real thing. We can offer lesser gifts. We can play fools games. Why would we do this? It’s because a magnificent baby actually reveals our deepest, darkest need. The fact is that we aren’t mostly good. We are lost, wandering, depraved, desperately in need of a Savior. So He came! Jesus the Christ!
Do we want Him? Do we need Him? I believe we do. We cannot live good lives without Christ. Even the best among us could not keep the 10 Commandments. Consider the commandment “thou shalt not covet.” Have you ever coveted something? Someone? Have you ever envied someone of another social status, skin tone, gender or heritage? Well, that one is broken. And for Christians that think they are better than average, consider the fact that most American Christians can’t even “remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy” (no matter what day it is honored). We are broken people, in need of a Savior, someone that will write His laws and ways on our hearts. And so He came! For you. For me. For us.
This year will you claim the unwanted Savior, or will you leave him laying unclaimed for someone else? He wants you. Do you want Him? Few find Him, but those who seek Him find that He is very near. Merry Christmas to all. May Jesus be your finest gift ever!
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