Monday, December 18, 2023

            We find ourselves a week from Christmas...only seven days till we celebrate the greatest birthday ever!  Christ does not need gifts like we might exchange with friends and family at birthdays.  He is our gift.  Remember the words of Isaiah who wrote of Jesus’ birth and coming hundreds of years before that wonderful night in Bethlehem.  Isaiah declared, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given...” (Isaiah 9:6a).  “Given” is a key word used by Isaiah.  Christ is our gift—the Father’s gift to people who had given Him every reason to leave them alone in their sins and stubbornness.  While we do not bring material and wrapped gifts to Jesus like we might offer to someone who is celebrating a birthday, we do bring our lives to Him.  The greatest gift we can give to Jesus is a surrendered life—a heart that belongs totally to Him and is occupied by Him.  We have nothing greater to give than our lives.  This act of faith begins when we surrender our lives to Jesus and trust Him by faith to be the Savior we so desperately need and the Lord that our lives cry out for. 
            The birth of Jesus is simple enough for anyone to understand.  There is no reason to layer it with complexity or intricacy.  It is enough to know the truth that John described long ago in his gospel.  The disciple wrote, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:16-17).  Maybe your year has been a hard one—a lot has happened, a lot has been lost, a lot has been confusing.  You can rest in the certainty that you are loved—so loved by God and so cherished by God that He gave His Son to save you.  If you are a parent or grandparent, my guess is you would not give up your child or grandchild for anyone at any time.  Our inclination and instinct are to protect our children and grandchildren and shelter them from harm and injury.  But God offered His Son to be our Savior because there was no other way.  There was no other way to know and to receive forgiveness, hope and everlasting life.
            Isaiah reminded us that even though we may be walking through some dark times and places, the light of Christ has come to penetrate that darkness.  The prophet wrote, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned” (Isaiah 9:2).  Not an ordinary light but a great one.  Not a dim light but a bright one.  Not a light that can be extinguished but one that can and will burn brightly for all times and for all who call on the name of the Lord.  This light, as John noted, is the light of the world.  And Christ is that great Light.  If your life has been rather dark and sullen, then take joy because Christ came for you.  Jesus was not born for people who have everything together and in order.  He was not born for those who believe they have what they need and every detail is aligned with God’s ways and vision.  No, Christ came for sinners and to save sinners.  He came for those who struggle.  He came for those who have spent too much time in darkness and dismay.  He came for those who do not have every detail of life perfectly arranged and organized.  He came for people like me...and maybe you would say that too.  Christmas is a good time to unload your sins, struggles and battles to Him and receive the gift of His life, grace, peace and love. 
            It seems strange that the One whose birthday we honor would be the One giving out the gifts.  But it is true.  Jesus said, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28).  Likewise, he came not to receive a collection of gifts but to give us THE gift of salvation, hope and everlasting life with Him.  Paul wrote, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).  Receive this gift if you have not.  Give thanks for this gift if you have.  Share this gift with others when a door is open.  Give thanks to the One who made it possible. 
           As the Christmas angel reminds us, “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord’” (Luke 2:10-11).  Have a Merry Christmas!  Make plans to join us for Christmas Eve worship on December 24th at 10:55am and 5:00pm.  Bible study in Sunday School will be at 9:45am.  Be sure to invite your friends and family to join you for worship at First Baptist this Sunday!