Integrity- People of God

The greatest gift ever given was God’s gift to mankind, whichis Jesus, the Son of God, who brought the peace of God through forgiveness of sin. The totality of the Christmas message is that Jesus is the gift God gave but it was for the forgiveness of sin. Christmas is not just about a baby being born, but He was thesacrificial offering, being given so that mankind can make peace with their God and their Creator.

Luke 2:9-12 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.  Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.   For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.   And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

In the Old Testament, the blood of lambs and bulls could only cover sin for a while and when the sins of the people could no longer be covered, the Holiness and Justice of God required the payment for sin, which was death. Mankind was afraid to approach a Holy and Righteous God, and rightly so. Prior to Christ’s birth, His death and resurrection, God dealt with humanity based on their sins and His righteous judgement.Jesus came and made a New Covenant, giving us an opportunity to receive the payment that Christ gave for our sins, in full. We would never need another sacrifice because He gave us the forgiveness of sin through His blood atonement. 

The first salutation and announcement of Christ’s birth by the angel was telling mankind to not be afraid. Because Christ was bringing good tidings, good news and a good report that would bring great joy to all people everywhere. Born that day was the Savior and God who would die for all mankind and could take away their sin, their treason and their rebellious acts.  Through faith in Christ as their Lord and Savior, He will pay the sin debt required by a Holy and Just God for all who trusted and believed in Him.  

Jesus was born in the humblest of circumstances, though we glamorize His birth with decorated words, like laying in a manger, but in actuality it was a feeding box for animals. The Creator of the universe, chose to be born in a lowly place where the animals were kept, so that we may know He can identify with our circumstances, however low they may be.

Though it was God’s love and compassion that stirred His heart for mankind, it was the gift of Christ’s life and death that allowed Him to forgive all humanity.  The shed blood of Christ opened the way for us to have forgiveness, salvation and to be eternally with God. Jesus came to bring the goodwill of God to humanity so that they would no longer have to be judged asrebellious traitors before their God. 

Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” NKJ

The celebration of Christmas is not just the celebration of the birth of Jesus. It is also the celebration of God’s forgiveness, peace and goodwill that is extended to all mankind. Jesus is the gift of God’s grace, and it is through our faith in the blood of Jesus as our Savior, that we acknowledge Him as our Lord. The Lord who has every right to direct, lead and shape our lives in every situation for the advancement of the kingdom of God on earth.

Ephesians 2:7-8 That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,