Martin Luther, the spark of the Protestant Reformation, called John 3:16 "the heart of the Bible, the Gospel in miniature." It also expresses the true meaning of Christmas -- the reason Jesus, God’s Son, came into this world. Consider these simple and powerful words:
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."
For God ......................... the greatest Lover;
So loved ................... the greatest degree;
The world .................. the greatest number;
That He gave .................. the greatest act;
His only Son ........ the greatest Gift;
That whoever ........... the greatest invitation;
Believes ............... the greatest simplicity;
In Him ..................... the greatest Person;
Should not perish ..... the greatest deliverance;
But ................... the greatest difference;
Have .................... the greatest certainty;
Eternal life ....... the greatest possession;
So loved ................... the greatest degree;
The world .................. the greatest number;
That He gave .................. the greatest act;
His only Son ........ the greatest Gift;
That whoever ........... the greatest invitation;
Believes ............... the greatest simplicity;
In Him ..................... the greatest Person;
Should not perish ..... the greatest deliverance;
But ................... the greatest difference;
Have .................... the greatest certainty;
Eternal life ....... the greatest possession;
As we approach Christmas time this year, I pray that these Words will not only challenge you, but transform you. You see, Christmas is indeed a time of peace on earth and good will toward men, but it is the important truth we do not mention that really lay behind Christmas. It's God's peace and good will, toward a sinful, wayward humanity (Luke 2:14) that is at the heart of Christmas.
The biblical story behind Christmas really began at the beginning of time in the Garden that God prepared so mankind could dwell in His presence. When Adam and Eve defied God and went their own way, that relationship was severed and man could no longer experience and enjoy God’s presence as intended. But out of His unrelenting love, God set in motion His plan which would make it possible to restore that relationship.
Now, all these years later in the New Testament, the Bible says, “God was at work in Jesus Christ, reconciling the world to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:19). It is man's hopelessly sinful and lost condition before a holy and just God that brought Jesus to earth (1 Timothy 1:15). The glory of it is the incomprehensible grace, mercy, and love that brought that same Jesus, God’s Son, into time and space (earth), in order to take on Himself the condemnation and judgment that belonged to us (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; Isaiah 53:5). In light of this truth, perhaps the words of the familiar song should be changed to, "We Wish You a Meaningful Christmas!"
A truly God Blessed and Meaningful Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!
The biblical story behind Christmas really began at the beginning of time in the Garden that God prepared so mankind could dwell in His presence. When Adam and Eve defied God and went their own way, that relationship was severed and man could no longer experience and enjoy God’s presence as intended. But out of His unrelenting love, God set in motion His plan which would make it possible to restore that relationship.
Now, all these years later in the New Testament, the Bible says, “God was at work in Jesus Christ, reconciling the world to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:19). It is man's hopelessly sinful and lost condition before a holy and just God that brought Jesus to earth (1 Timothy 1:15). The glory of it is the incomprehensible grace, mercy, and love that brought that same Jesus, God’s Son, into time and space (earth), in order to take on Himself the condemnation and judgment that belonged to us (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; Isaiah 53:5). In light of this truth, perhaps the words of the familiar song should be changed to, "We Wish You a Meaningful Christmas!"
A truly God Blessed and Meaningful Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!
~ Pastor Cliff Powell
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