Why is Christmas such a big deal? Does it really matter that Jesus was born?

Yes, it does.

Without Jesus we would live our lives in dark without hope.
Without Jesus there wouldn’t be a chance to be made right with God.
Without Jesus we would still stumble in the dark.

Christmas matters because YOU matter to God.

The birth of Jesus was promised hundreds years before it happened:

Therefore, the Lord will give you a sign. The young woman is pregnant and is about to give birth to a son, and she will name him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14, CEB)

Reading one of these prophecies always make me praise God in wonder. God’s salvation plan is truly marvelous. And it is all God’s work. We don’t have anything to do with it. God did all this because YOU matter to him.

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him won’t perish but will have eternal life. God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through him. (John 3:16-17 , CEB)

Salvation is a gift like no other:

Joyous hope.
Exuberant love.
Saving grace.
Unending peace.
Sustaining joy.

And it’s available for everyone!
If we only open our gift!
If we only place our hope in him!
If we only embrace God’s grace!

And again, Isaiah says, There will be a root of Jesse, who will also rise to rule the Gentiles. The Gentiles will place their hope in him. (Romans 15:12, CEB)

My hope for this Christmas is that our hearts and minds would be ready to receive Jesus. My prayer for the world is that more and more people would open their Christmas gift and receive Jesus.

Because Jesus is the only hope for the humanity.
Because Jesus is the light for the world in darkness.
Because Jesus is everything we need:

Jubilant hope.
Extravagant love.
Sanctifying grace.
Unbelievable peace.
Strengthening joy.

 

Gracious God,
Jesus is the best gift ever,
Thank you! We adore you!
Empower us to truly live out our faith.
Prepare people’s hearts and minds
to receive you,
to be saved by grace
through faith in Jesus.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: How is your life changed because of the gift of Jesus?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you wait for the King!

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Do you want to win a copy of the Common English Bible softcover edition? Just leave a comment on any blog post this week (or any week during the blog tour). The winner will be announced on (every) Monday!

All these CEB give aways are possible because I am participating in the Common English Bible Blog tour. During the next three months I will mostly be using the Common English Bible (CEB) on my blog posts. Let’s check out this fresh new Bible translation!

You can also find CEB on Twitter as @CommonEngBible and check out #CEBtour for other blog tour posts!

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Image courtesy of Joe Cavazos. Linking up today with Thought-Provoking Thursdays &