pastorjguy
As a child, I use to wake up on Christmas morning with great delight, knowing that under the tree were presents with my name on them. I can never imagine a Christmas when my parents did not surprise me with gifts that brought me great delight. As an adult, I find my great pleasure in waking up to spend time with my Heavenly Father. In my humble estimation, I can think of no better way to start my day than to spend time in his presence. The joy that used to permeate my little heart on Christmas now permeates my heart daily because I serve the One who made Christmas a reality. God gave his best gift. There was no more extraordinary gift that he could have provided to us than his Son coming to earth as a baby who would go on to become an adult that would die for our sins.
God, like a good Father, gave us the best he had on Christmas. He sent his only Son to earth, so we might have a way to be reconciled back to him. Without the sacrifice of Jesus, there would be no way for us to have communication with God since God is holy and we are sinful. Jesus’ death on the cross made it possible for God to forgive us because the justice of God demanded a sacrifice, and Jesus became that sacrifice. Great delight should be in our hearts this Christmas, not only for God’s gift but for the promise that God made. Jesus said that in his Father’s house are many mansions, and he has gone to finalize the preparations for us to join him and the Father for eternity.
What a Christmas morning it will be when we finally see the promised gift of an eternal home in Heaven. I can only imagine the great delight that will fill my heart when I step through the gates into the city that has been prepared for all those who faithfully love and serve God. The greatest gift of all was given with a promise, and while that promise has not been fulfilled yet, I am assured that what God said he will do. As this Christmas draws close, I cannot help but feel that we are closer to the promise being fulfilled by God. May we not only receive the gift of Jesus but may we be eagerly awaiting the fulfillment of the promise given to us through the gift of Jesus.
