December 1991
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Once again the Christmas Season is
upon us. In the midst of trees and
bells and lights and presents, let us
reflect for a moment on what really
took place at Christmas. Galations 4:4-5 tells us that "When the fullness of time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that are under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons."
Mankind had sinned through Adam in the Garden of Eden. Because of this, all men are born sinners and all are estranged from God. In fact, Christ Himself goes so far as to say that "Ye are of your father, the Devil." Humans are not born "Children of God," but are born in a lost condition, separated from God. In order to get into God's family, we must be adopted, as Galations 4:5 states.
How does this adoption take place? Man could not save himself because of his sinful condition. Thus, he needed a Saviour. This Saviour would have to be a perfect, sinless individual in order to provide a perfect sacrifice. Thus, He had to be Deity. However, in order to provide a sacrifice for humanity, He also had be be human. Thus Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became flesh, and was born of a virgin in Bethlehem so that He, the God/Man, might be the perfect substitute and sacrifice for man's sin. He lived for thirty-three years, and then was crucified on the Cross of Calvary. With His blood He paid the penalty of my sin. On the third day He arose from the dead, and later ascended to Heaven where He serves as the believer's High Priest and Mediator.
The sacrifice for sins has been made. However, it is up to each individual whether or not he, will accept it. A person must realize that he is a sinner, and separated from God. He must repent of sin, and believe that Jesus died and rose for him, and personally accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ through faith. When a man trusts Christ as Saviour, the Bible says that he is "born again" and becomes a "child of God." This promises the believer a home in Heaven for all eternity.
Have you accepted the Christ of Christmas as your personal Saviour? If not, then you can never truely grasp the meaning of Christmas. Today, realize that Christ died for your sins, and call upon Him to save you. When you do that, you will truely experience the joy of Christmas.
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