For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17 NIV
God’s love for mankind is at the heart of Christmas! His desire to walk in relationship with each one of us gives us the reason to celebrate the birth of Jesus 2000 years later!
If you’ve ever been in a broken relationship you know it’s painful! When Adam and Eve sinned, the relationship between God and mankind was broken. Man could not fix it so God did. He put on flesh and came to earth. He lived a sinless life, then took the punishment we deserved for our sin when He allowed man to torture Him on the cross. Because Jesus did that for us, our relationship with God can be restored. That’s what Christmas is all about!
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NIV
This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:9-10 NIV
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Romans 8:31-32 NIV
As we usher in this Christmas week, let us never lose sight of God’s love, the reason we celebrate this wonderful season!