Let us continue to explore the meaning of Christmas and Jesus’ salvation.
We believe there is only one true God, the God that created the world. All men are separated from God because of our sins, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). However, it does not end here; Jesus came to save us in His grace. He is the savior that was expected from long ago. Jesus is the promise of God made to redeem the world to Him. By dying on the cross in the crucifixion, He purchased us with His precious blood, and saved us out of darkness into His light. Our faith comes from believing in Jesus who came to save us, we believe He redeemed us to our heavenly father by dying on the cross, and then being resurrected on the third day.
We celebrate Christmas because of our joy and the peace from no longer being slaves to sin. Because of Jesus’ salvation, we are no longer separated from God, we are being set free. If there were no Christmas, there would be no hope for mankind, for the problem of sin still plagues mankind and the whole world; there is no other solution for sin.
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. (Colossians 1:15-20).
Friends, we are glad to have you with us. It does not matter who you are, what your background is, or what you have experienced. The salvation of Jesus is for you. It has been offered to you for free, you just have to repent in your heart, and put your trust in Jesus. We give presents for free during Christmas because we have received the salvation for free. Christianity is not a religious activity, it is a belief, and Christianity is also a reconciled relationship with God. Friends, to believe in Jesus is not at all complicated, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9). If you are willing to, you can declare with your mouth and believe in your heart to put your trust in Jesus.
Maybe you have been hurt before or you have had a bad experience in the Church due to offense caused by immature Christians that has wronged you. Maybe you feel that in the past you have done wrong, and therefore left the Church. Maybe there is still some unreconciled hurt that happened to you in the Church. It is even possible that you feel left out in Church, that you do not feel Church is the place that loves you or edifies you. You may feel Church is not your thing, salvation is not as important in your life as your other priorities. You simply cannot understand the connection between faith and your personal life. Whatever you face, Lord Jesus knows what happened to you. He is full of mercy, He can reconcile and restore you. You can always come back to Jesus. This Christmas, may the joy and blessings of God be apon you; the world does not truly care for you, nor the people or the businesses in it, but Jesus loves you and cares for you. His zeal is that you will return to Him, or you accept His grace of salvation.
Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.
Merry Christmas!
