God had a perfect plan before the creation of the earth. He knew that man would sin. He understood that Christ would be the only means of reconciliation between Himself and His creation. And He knows exactly when He will create a new Heaven and a new earth and restore all things to the perfection He desired from the beginning.
God Created Creation
- Proverbs 3:19 The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding He established the heavens;
- In His perfect wisdom God created all things perfectly.
God Cursed Creation
- Genesis 3:17-18 Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’: “Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life. 18 Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, And you shall eat the herb of the field.
- God gave man the freedom to choose between obedience and sin; he chose poorly. Adam’s sin led to the earth being cursed.
God Will Cleanse Creation
- Romans 8:21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
- God’s creation is desperately longing for the reconciliation of all things – the time when the curse and it’s effects have been washed away.
The birth of Jesus (‘Savior’) Christ (Messiah, ‘Anointed One’), Immanuel (God with us), marked a turning point in history. Prior to Jesus, the Old Testament promises of deliverance and restoration seemed distant and uncertain. But when a virgin named Mary gave birth to a baby boy in Bethlehem, those promises became extremely personal and very real.
Christmas is a celebration of Christ’s birth and the hope of eternal reconciliation that comes only through Him.
- Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.
- Matthew 1:23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
- Colossians 1:19-20 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
Jesus is the living hope of God’s creation!
Creation
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You are Part of God’s Creation
- Genesis 1:27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
- Acts 4:24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them,
- Have joined all of creation in rejoicing over the birth of Jesus Christ?
According to God’s plan, Christ was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died for our sins and made a way for the reconciliation of all people to God!
- Galatians 4:4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
- Luke 2:11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
- Philippians 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
- Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
- 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,
- Revelation 5:9 And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
God gave the greatest gift of all; the gift of His Son Jesus. Although we didn’t deserve it, He gave us this gift so we can be eternally reconciled to Him!
- John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
- Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Christmas - for some;
So many presents. So many parties. So many obligations.
Christmas - for followers of Jesus Christ;
Just One way to a right relationship with God!
- John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Rejoice in the true meaning of Christmas!
Prayer
Gracious Heavenly Father, please reveal the true meaning of Christmas to those who are blind to the reason for the season. Jesus came to die for the sins of the world. Draw the lost to You for salvation in Christ. Sanctify Your children. May Your will be done in all things. Thank You for Jesus. Thank You for eternal life. Thank You for the joy of Christmas. I pray in the Holy and precious name of Jesus. Amen.
