In The Fullness Of Time---Christ Came

"There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins."  (Ecclesiastes 7:20 NIV; italics mine).

As I write this devotional Christmas is one week away.  Probably many of you are focused on the Holiday.  It is a time of joy, a time to spend with love ones.  The house decorated; a beautiful decorated tree with all the trimmings of your traditions.  Carefully wrapped presents under the tree.  Children (and adults) wait impatiently for the time to open their presents.  It is as it should be.  A time to remember, a time to catch up on "Old Times."  Good food, lot of laughter, this is the essence of Christmas: joy.  "Joy To The World The Lord Has Come," we sing that carol often during the Christmas season.

The essence of Christmas is joy.  The deeper joy imbedded is the reason for Christmas.  "But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law that we might receive the full rights of sons" (Galatians 4:4 NIV; italics mine).  There is the ground or our joy.  This child, born of a virgin: Son of God and Son of Man.  Willing to be sent to earth, tho empty Himself, and to live amongst us.  This is the story that needs telling above all other Christmas stories.  This is the reason for the season.  Declare it among your children, speak of it with your guests, make it the highest priority.  This is a "must" story for all to hear, it is a story that brings everlasting life.  Everlasting life to all who put faith in the One who came as a babe, who believe that this story is not a fictional nove to read; rather a life giving truth.

When we get past the holiday and we reflect on the joy of Christmas, when we take a close look at this baby that has  grown and begun a ministry we find that there is a certain something that chills our hearts.  This baby that has grown into adulthood has set His face, and determination to that which is hard to understand.  The understanding from the foundation of the Christmas story has become something that is now unknown.  It is differenet, He is headed smowhere, do not know where.  He has a goal strangely far off.

Adam in the Garden of Eden committed sin against his/or Heavenly Father.  From this fall, Adam lost his original righteousness and communion with God, and became dead in has sins.  Because of Adams' disobedience, this sin, original sin: is now imputed to all Adams' posterity.  We are all recipients of that fallen nature.  God made a promise to bring forth one who would bring redemption to the world.  It is this baby in the manger who has come to do just that.  For you see, as Paul explains; "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless Christ died for the ungodly" (Romans 5:6 NIV; italics mine).  From the manger to the cross, that was his determination, He came to impute His righteousness to all who would put their faith and trust in Him. This is the real story of Christmas, the one worth telling.  There is the very essence, the heart of this Holiday. "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8 NIV; italics mine).

Rejoice, this is the time to reflect on Jesus, time for joy, let the Christmas bells ring.  We have every reason to be joyful.  No matter the circumstances; Immanuel has come.

I found this in my fathers' Bible, author unknown, written in my mothers' hand.

God in nature is the God above us;
God in providence is the God beyond us;
God in law is God against us;
but, God in Christ is God with us, for us, and in us!

Daily Prayer:

Thank you Jesus for coming and living among us.  Thank you Jesus for redemption given to me.  Thank you for this season where I can find hope. There is hope in you.  Give me strength to speak of the joy for this season so that others may hear of your great sacrifice and salvation.        Amen