It was a dark night long ago when the light from a brilliant star pierced the night sky. The angels could not keep silent…hearlding the arrival of someone special who had come to change the world. The lamb of God. The perfect sacrifice.
We would be given the opportunity to be proclaimed righteous in the eyes of God through Jesus Christ. Our sinful, guilty life would be redeemed by His blood.
We could be pardoned from a life lived in the darkness of sins shadows. Our part? Believe that Jesus came for each of us. At the moment we believe in Christ, light pierces the heart of darkness, and floods it with grace. Grace we could never earn and do not deserve. And yet, He loved us in our shame and sin and lifted us up to the Father as clean and undefiled.
Because of that little babe born on a Christmas night so long ago we now can walk in grace singing a new song…Emmanuel, God With Us.
Thought For Today:
I cannot think about the gift of Christmas without tears. Tears tinged with sorrow that loss brings. But while the tears rise up, victory also floods my soul. Eternal life is the real gift that came that night long ago. There will be a day when a great reunion will remove all sorrow, all because God came to earth as a baby to make a way for us to join Him. Merry Christmas Eve! Welcome baby Jesus.
Scripture For Today:
Romans 5:1-5
1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (NKJV)
Prayer For Today:
Hello Father! You know the sadness that lays in a corner of the heart that has loss, especially at Christmas. Please help us keep the outcome of our sorrow ever-present in our minds. Through the shower of grace that salvation brings also comes eternal life and rejoicing that comes on the morrow. We will see clearly then, the whys of our sorrow. Tears will become laughter and joy! Let us dance in that hope. Thank you for your gift. Forgive us of our sins. In Jesus’ name. Amen.