Christmas is nearly here

Almost everywhere, we can see Santa, the reindeer, a few elves, Christmas presents, mistletoe - everything that Christmas is all about, to most people.

Where’s Jesus?

Jesus? Jesus who?

Jesus Christ that’s who.

Oh? Who is Jesus?

Glad you asked. You see, Christmas is not about Santa or the reindeer or the elves or any of that make believe stuff. Christmas is ALL about the birth of Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour of the World!

Seriously?

Yes, I am serious!

It makes me sad to think of the many people (this might even be you!) who really don’t know or don’t care that Christmas is about Jesus Christ.

I am not going to repeat everything from the Bible here, but here’s what you need to know.

God created everything. If you believe that the universe, this Earth and all that is in it came from nothing and for no reason, that God had nothing to do with it all, you’re in more trouble than I feared!

God created man (Adam & Eve). God gave them everything and all the freedom they could have asked for, with one condition: don’t eat from the tree of knowledge of good & evil or you’ll die!

What did man do? They chose to listen to the snake (the devil) instead, who said they could be like God if they ate from the forbidden tree, that they wouldn’t die, thus disobeying God and not believing His Word!

As punishment, God banished man from the garden of Eden, from His presence. Our years were numbered. As if physical death was not bad enough, we would also be eternally separated from God.

Even though we had sinned against God, He did not leave us to fend for ourselves. He gave us the law and spoke to us through prophets to give us guidelines on how to live our lives.

God gave man the sacrificial system. God made it very clear to us that blood must be shed, that sacrifice was necessary, to earn forgiveness for sinning against a Holy God.

In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. Hebrews 9:22

However, the sacrificial system was just a temporary arrangement. It had to be repeated each year. The priests had to sacrifice for their sins as well as the sins of the people annually.

Over time, sin caused us to drift farther from God. Sin caused us to rebel even more, to reject God’s ways, to be arrogant/proud and to do things our own way.

All was not lost. God had not given up on us. Though He is right to judge and condemn us to death and eternal separation from Him, in His love and mercy towards us, His children, plans for our redemption had already been drawn before Adam & Eve sinned. You see, God is omniscient (knows everything), outside of time, and He knew that Adam & Eve would sin against Him. Why didn’t He stop it? God gave us freewill to make decisions and choices for ourselves, that’s why.

Anyways, throughout history, there was a mention of the Messiah who would deliver us, through whom, we would be reconciled to God once for all.

Enter Jesus. His miraculous virgin birth, sinless life, many miracles He did, His teachings as One with wisdom and authority, incomparable expressions of love, death by crucifixion and resurrection from the dead – Jesus was not merely the Son of Man, but the Son of God Himself, God in flesh, Emmanuel, God with us.

Why?

God’s decree is that those who sin against God must die. This means, we all must die.

“For the wages of sin is death…” Romans 6:23

But God loves us so much that He wanted to make a way for us to get right with Him and live eternally with Him, not perish.

So, God sent Jesus to die on the cross, for us, to take our place. Instead of us having to die for our sins, the sinless Jesus would take the place of all sinners. He became the once and for all sacrifice, one that need not be repeated, unlike the old sacrificial system!

“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.” John 3:16

Jesus is our gift from God. Everyone who accepts the free gift of salvation in Jesus Christ, is no longer condemned to eternal death, but have received eternal life with God in Heaven!

“…, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

How amazing is God’s love and grace towards us! We are sinners. We deserve to die. Jesus takes our place. We are free!

Jesus paid for your sins and mine.

Unless we take hold of that payment that Jesus made through His sacrifice, we remain condemned and worthy of eternal punishment at God’s hands.

What are you waiting for?

This Christmas, freely receive the greatest gift you’ll ever receive - pardon from sin, salvation and eternity with God in Heaven – ONLY through Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Saviour of the World, God Almighty!

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

Without Jesus, you have no chance. Without Him, you are nothing. All you are trying to do is trying to be a good person and trying to get to Heaven through your own strength and means.

Without Jesus, you will perish. Without Jesus, you cannot enter Heaven, no matter who you think you are or what you are.

Jesus can not only ensure your eternal destination, but He can also help you live your lives today, now, here on Earth.

Jesus has changed me/my life and continues to change me/my life for the better.

I pray you’ll get to know Him so that you too can experience the joy, peace, blessings and assurance I experience everyday.

Merry Christmas.

God bless you all.

Sri