The Reason for the Season 

 

 

At this time of the year we busy ourselves with all the festivities of the Christmas season. There are decorations to hang, cookies to bake, trees to trim, parties to attend, but, most importantly to some, there are gifts that need to be given.

 

It seems like everywhere we turn, we see holiday reminders of this American tradition of giving (and getting) as many gifts as possible. Then we take special care to wrap and beribboned each package. These dazzling boxes certainly add excitement to Christmas, but could they possibly be distracting our thoughts from Christmas’s most important gift?

 

There is one gift that has already been given, and it surpasses all others in value and importance. It is God’s gift of eternal life through His Son, Jesus.
“The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

 

That’s the reason Christ was born on that first Christmas day. He came to earth to provide a way for all people to receive His gift of eternal life. This gift is freely given, not because it is cheap, but because we could never afford it on our own.

 

Scriptures tell us that those who wish to have this eternal life in God’s perfect heaven must be as perfect, or righteous as God, Himself (Revelation 21:27).

 

But it is obvious that we all have fallen far short of that holy standard and, therefore, do not deserve God’s gift.
“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 

God’s love for us in our “doomed” condition caused Him to take on human flesh, so that He could provide for us-that which we so needed but greatly lacked-His righteousness.
“For He (God) has made Him (Christ), who knew no sin, to be sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

 

It was also Christ’s love for us that caused Him to endure the sufferings of the cross, so that He, in our place, would make the death payment for all our sins. Knowing that no human effort or good works could provide God’s righteousness, Christ became our substitute, our Savior. Now, the way to heaven is freely open as a gift to all who will trust in the risen Lord Jesus Christ.
“For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

 

God does not force us to accept His priceless gift. It can only come through faith alone in Christ alone! And yet some will reject God’s gift, by trying to get to heaven another way - their own way, the wrong way.

 

How much wiser it is then to choose to accept God’s gift of salvation that is provided for us through Jesus Christ. You can be certain of heaven today; if, right now, you will trust in Christ to give you eternal life.
“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may KNOW that you have eternal life.” I John 5:13

 

We have, by faith, received God’s gift and someday will have heaven as our home. Now it is our heart’s desire that you, too, will be there with us. By faith, call on the Lord, and in your own words tell Him that you are receiving His gift of eternal life through believing in the One who died for you.
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” Acts 16:31

Trust in Christ today, for truly this is the reason for this season!

 

by Lisa Cannon