December 14. Love Has Come. Salvation is here.
“It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners . . .” 1 Timothy 1:15
Christmas is best defined as a celebration of the coming of the Christ (which is the literal meaning of this time of year – Advent, or “coming.”). The entire Bible and all of Biblical history in some way points to and celebrates the coming of Christ and His life and purpose on earth.
The angels announced the birth of Christ as Heaven opened and bestowed upon mankind the King of Kings and Lord of Lords in the form of a pure and innocent babe. What a magnificent picture of God’s love! This is the message that has changed everything: The Christ has come. The Angels heralded Him as “Savior, Christ, the Lord.” The Christmas announcement was a message of redemption. This was a proclamation that salvation is offered to all mankind.
Christmas celebrates the coming of Christ, and once every year the entire globe pauses to celebrate “Christmas.” While our culture has regrettably negotiated the deeper meaning of Christmas for the more superficial celebration of the “holidays,” the facts still stand: Christmas reminds us of our God who is Creator and Redeemer.
At this very moment, lights are being strung and wreaths hung. Each day that I drive to my office, I am noticing how our own city is increasingly merging aesthetically into a clear demonstration of Christmas. Each day the Christmas season is more noticeable, and people’s conversations are turning to Holiday emphases. Yet, in the undercurrent of our society, the Yule Tide has developed a superficial gloss; our society seems to be okay with a celebration of Christmas without the pronounced centrality of the redemption that defines the coming of Christ.
So, today, with less than 12 days until Christmas, let’s consider how we can re-center our own Christmas celebration back to the centrality of Jesus our redeemer. While our culture may sing Christmas Carols, visit replicas of manger scenes, give of time and money to notable benevolent causes, and champion a spirit of kindness conducive to this time of year, let’s not forget that Christmas is an announcement that redemption has come. The Savior has come. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords has stepped into our lives. And we will never be the same.
Is Christmas a celebration of your salvation? I pray so. Is Christmas a time for you to recommit to a life that is truly centered on Jesus. I hope so. This season, let’s talk about God’s love in Christ; let’s live out that love to family and friends, and strangers. This season, let’s truly celebrate that our redemption has come. Can you share the good news of salvation with someone? What a way to celebrate the birth of Christ. This is indeed a worthy statement: Christ came into the world to save sinners.
This is salvation. This is love. This is Christmas.
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Today, read 1 Timothy 1:15 along with Luke 2:11 and celebrate that our salvation has come.
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