If Christmas never happened, part III

If the "first Grinch," Satan, had succeeded, and there had been no Christmas, we have seen there would be no real celebrations, and there would have been no redemption for us.

We also would have no real joy in this dreary world.

Mean-ness. Sickness. Financial problems. Arrogant boss or co-workers. Food prices going up. Gasoline prices going up. Sinful habits that drag us down.

Many a sinful person has had their life be turned around. 

Because God is good.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8, NIV)

Because God is love.

We love because he first loved us. (I John 4:19, NIV)

We've heard the story of the slave trader and ship captain, John Newton, who was never the same after his salvation.  "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me -- I once was lost, but now I'm found. Was blind, but now I see." 

We've heard the stories other people tell of lives rescued from sin, addiction, and trials. Our own lives reveal God's love and grace: He reached down in love to change us. 

We have peace in a strife-filled world!

We have joy in the midst of dreariness and trials!

We rejoice not because another baby was born, but because life was born anew for all mankind. We rejoice because Christmas DID happen, and we have a Savior. A Savior Who knows us perfectly, but still loves us! He loves us in spite of our sin and wants to spend eternity with us! A God Who doesn't need us, but wants us! 

We rejoice because Christmas happened, because of our redemption. Before Him, life was me, myself, and I. It was "every man (or woman) for themselves." It was "dog eat dog." All of those old cliches fall away when a person is saved; something happens to a person when Jesus comes in.

Without Christmas, how could we have joy?

If we who are [abiding] in Christ have hoped only in this life [and this is all there is], then we are of all people most miserable and to be pitied. (I Corinthians 15:19, AMP)

Jesus makes all the difference in the world.

So my soul shall rejoice in the LORD; It shall rejoice in His salvation. (Psalm 35:9)

Yet I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. (Habakkuk 3:18, NASB)

If there is no Virgin; if there is no Baby; if there is no cross or Calvary or Savior, if Christmas never happened, then we would be hopeless, indeed!

But the truth is that Christmas DID happen! And God's gifts to us include celebrations, redemption, and joy!

More to come -- tune in tomorrow!