”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)
Could there be a more appropriate Scripture to conclude our “Ten Days of Christmas” then John 3.16-17? Often we pull out this verse on Easter as it speaks to God’s redemption, love and salvation through Jesus Christ. Jesus’ journey to the cross, death and resurrection are all a part of the Gospel story.
Yet the Gospel narrative began long before Easter and long before Christmas. The Gospel began in Genesis 3.15 when Scripture said he would be born of a woman or in Micah 5.2 that he would be born in Bethlehem. Maybe it began in Isaiah 7.14 which said the Messiah would be born of a virgin or perhaps in Psalm 2.7 that he would be called the Son of God.
For in truth, the Gospel began at God’s beginning, when the world was created, for the Word Made Flesh, Jesus the Christ, was with God in the beginning (see John 1.) This is affirmed in the 44 Old Testament Scriptures that you could find via this link or even better, the 351 prophecies that Jesus fulfilled as predicted in the Old Testament about the Messiah. It is truly amazing.
These “Ten Days of Christmas” have been about us experiencing Jesus again through the lens of so many different characters who witnessed his arrival, heard from God’s angels, and obeyed the Word of the Lord. This examination of Christmas isn’t just about observation but about integration. We aren’t called to merely watch the saga unfold through the experiences of Bible characters but allow the narrative to become integrated into our own lives.
Day Ten is about Jesus being the answer to all our hopes and dreams, longings and desires. He has been proven as Messiah not only through the fulfillment of the prophets of old or his arrival in Bethlehem but how he is transforming people in the world right before our very eyes. For example, I met Jesus when I was 17 years old and since that time, over 34 years, he has been with me, forgiving me of my sins and making me more Iike him. Jesus is with me every day through my ups and downs and is with you as well.
Have you allowed Jesus to be the answer for your life? Why not do so by recommitting yourself to the babe born in the manger.
“O Lord God, you are good. Thank you for your power to save, to heal anyour grace to mend. Thank you for being the God since the beginning of time and for fulfilling every Scripture that points to you and to your desire to know your people. Come now, Holy Spirit, make Jesus known to the least, the last and the lost. I receive you as my Savior and commit my life to your hands. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen