God's Perfect Love for Imperfect People

Many many years ago God sent His beloved Son to Earth in the form of a man named Jesus, who though He was the Messiah and Savior of the world, was born in a filthy manger in a stable. Under a bright and shining star He laid, surrounded by shepherds and livestock, the one who was sent there to save us. His mother, Mary and his earthly father, Joseph looked down on Him with adoration and love, amazed that Mary was chosen to give birth to this miraculous child, and even more amazed that their son was the very Son of God.

We all know this story well, a baby born to a virgin in a town called Bethlehem, laid in a manger because there was no room in the inn for Mary and Joseph. The child called Jesus Christ, and the Son of God born into a human baby. Can you picture it? Can you imagine the beauty of that night?

"And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,“Glory to God in the highest,and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.”

Luke 2:11-19 (ESV)

The entire book of the Bible is a story of how much the Father loves us, that even though we mess up and sin time and time again, He continuously shows us His unchanging and unconditional love. Though we are totally undeserving, He sent His only Son to die for us to wipe our sins away and save us from them, though they should have been ours to bear.

This story of unfathomable love is the reason we celebrate the Christmas season, not because of presents or Santa Clause, but because of the best gift that we ever could have received:

a Savior. Someone to bring us out of the darkness of sin into the glorious light, and into eternity spent with Him in that wonderful light. He arrived in Bethlehem that fateful night, and everyone who saw Him knew that He was someone special, but little did they know who He was and what He had came there to do. Like the famous verse says,

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

John 3:16 (ESV)

This Christmas, please remember why we celebrate. Don't get caught up in things that you want or objects that you think you might need. Instead remember the free gift that came from God, our Savior Jesus Christ, who traded His life for us in order to erase every trace of our sins. Don't forget that the same baby who was born that night was the same man who was hung on a cross to die for us. Take moments to thank the Father for offering us the gift of salvation and eternal life through His Son. Spend time pondering over these things in your heart, and you're bound to think of Christmas differently.

Love, Em