What if Christmas never happened, part II

What if the "first Grinch" (Satan) had succeeded?

What if Christmas wasn't Christmas?

We would have no "glad tidings" to celebrate . . . there'd be no rejoicing. All these years, Christmas has developed from a simple recognition of the birth of our Savior. Of course, it is unfortunate that it has grown into a super-commercialized season full of things that have very little to do with our Redeemer! Many of us keep trying to get back to the "reason for the season," and keep it a joyous time for thanking God Who sent His Son. We've added lots of stress and lots of hoopla and hassles to what could be a simple time of rejoicing -- celebrating the glad tidings that the angels sang. 

But there would be more consequences if there were no Christmas. If Satan had succeeded, there would be no redemption, no gospel, no Gift.

For all who depend on the Law [seeking justification and salvation by obedience to the Law and the observance of rituals] are under a curse; for it is written, “CURSED (condemned to destruction) IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, SO AS TO PRACTICE THEM.” (Galatians 3:10, AMP) 

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:17, NIV)

You see, we NEEDED a gift from God. We are sinful, fallen creatures. We are racked by the disease of sin, and we are condemned forever without Him.  We can see evidences of this fallen condition in our world, our acquaintances, and in our own lives each and every day.  If we are honest when we look at ourselves, we see "stuff" we don't like: rebelliousness, pride, greed, selfishness, uncontrolled passions, rage, anger, lusts . . . . the list goes on and on. We commit sin each day and there is no remedy within us for our condition.  Our conduct, our behaviors, our habits, and our choices reveal our sin nature. 

Each of us is lost. We are separated from God by the huge wall of our sin. 

We need the mercy of our holy God. We need His grace and compassion. We don't deserve it, but we surely do need it!

Christmas is the beginning of the mercy. Help started in Bethlehem. That's where the Gospel came to shepherds and an innkeeper (I kinda think he was a spectator in the stable, too, when the shepherds came. He would have to have been totally heartless to have stayed away. He might even have brought some soft cloths and some food for the weary couple.)

"The gift of God is eternal life through . . . " Through what? Religion? No. Santa Claus? Of course not. Government benefits? An emphatic "no!"

How about education? Financial stability? Our good morals and our kindness and good deeds?

Still no.

We need a Savior Who was (and is) willing to take away the curse of sin. We need the Gift from God, a Redeemer Who pays our debt. We need a God Who provides cleansing and Who then forgives and forgets our sins. 

This is not something that we can pay for. Not something we can purchase.

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot. (I Peter 1:18-19, BSB)

This is the Gift of Christmas. This is the Savior Who came as a wee babe to Bethlehem. This gift could not have happened without the plan and will of our Father.

More tomorrow......