Every Christmas we all receive two amazing gifts from the Creator. First, we receive a reminder of God’s astonishing, unconditional love. Second, we receive a reminder of Jesus Christ’s audacious grace. In this message, let’s focus on the grace Christ demonstrated on the first Christmas day so long ago.
While you and I may not have the sculpting skills of Michelangelo we are able to use something even more powerful, our words.
The doctrine of the virgin birth, or perhaps more accurately the virgin conception, is important for many reasons. On it hang the doctrines of original sin, the inspiration of Scripture, who Jesus was, and what Jesus did in salvation.
Nostalgia. That abnormal yearning within us to step into the time tunnel and recover the irrecoverable. That wistful dream, that sentimental journey taken within the mind—always travelled alone and therefore seldom discussed.
All who come to God must empty themselves of themselves. They must set aside their self-centredness, selfish ambition, and self-sufficiency. In other words, they must put away pride and put on humility.
Our sentimental approach to Christ’s birth sanitizes the event to the point where we re-cast the story for palatability, nostalgia, and commercial manipulation.
The Gospel of John takes a unique approach to the Christmas story. It makes no mention of the angels, shepherds, or wise men. Rather, John describes Jesus as the eternal Word that became flesh.
What does it really mean to be called “a man or woman of God”? Chuck Swindoll answers that question by describing a most unusual man named John the Baptist.
When most of us think of the Apostles, we picture a sacred group of holy men who upheld remarkable standards. But Chuck Swindoll suggests otherwise! The Apostles were just ordinary men who followed an extraordinary Saviour. And we can do the same!
If we lived in that first century and met someone like Jesus, it would take our breath away. As Christmas arrives, we think of the great blessing that is ours because of Jesus. This charming grace.
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