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Merry Christmas! I imagine you are familiar with the story of Santa Claus. As the story goes, Santa has a list. He checks it twice. On his list there are two kinds of people, those who have been naughty, and those who have been nice. For the nice people, he brings presents. For the naughty…just a lump of coal in the bottom of the stocking. But let’s talk about real life. God is the one who truly knows who has been naughty, and who has been nice. Do you believe that? He knows everything, about everyone. Not only does He know everything you have ever done, but everything you have ever thought…even every intention of your heart. I know it is Christmas, a time of happiness, but I have to tell you something which is both serious and sad. If God had a “naughty list” we would all be on it! The Bible says in Romans 3:12 that there is no one who does what is right, not even one. We have all lied. We have all hated. The list of our sins goes on and on. Now this bad news gets even worse. There is nothing we can do get off the “naughty list!” No amount of trying to be good can ever erase the bad things we have done. None of our sins can be overcome with our attempts at goodness. We come into this world spiritually dead, lost, and without hope. So where does that leave us? We need saving! We need a Savior! But who can save us? Who would be willing to save sinful people like you and me? Here we find the true meaning of Christmas. God, who loved us while we were still sinners, sent his one and only Son, to become a human baby. That night when He was born, angels appeared to shepherds in a field nearby. They shared a secret with the shepherds that night, about who this baby really was and what He came to do. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord! – Luke 2:11 JESUS IS OUR SAVIOR. In fact, the name “Jesus” means, “the Lord saves.” But how can Jesus save us from our sins? He took them all on Himself, and He died in our place. Not only did He die, but on the third day He rose again conquering sin, death, and the devil. JESUS IS THE CHRIST. This means He is the Messiah, the one and only one who can save us. Why is He the only one? Because He is the only one who has ever been on “the nice list.” He perfectly obeyed God, so that He could be a perfect sacrifice for us. JESUS IS THE LORD. While Jesus was a full and complete human being, He is also fully and completely God. So what can we do to be saved? Jesus answers the question for us in His very first sermon in Mark 1:15, “Repent and believe!” God may be giving you the grace right now to cry out to Him that you need a Savior, to put your faith in Jesus as that Savior! We pray that this message, this true meaning of Christmas, will fill your hearts, minds, and homes this Christmas season. With Love, Rob and Amy Rienow for RW, Lissy, JD, Laynie, Milly, Ray, and Rush Visionary Family Ministries P.S. Here is a link to a free mp3 for your entire family, “A Savior, Christ the Lord!” – a message from Luke 2. P.P.S. Please consider making a year-end gift to help us reach more families in 2014 with the biblical message of family discipleship! Visionary Family Ministries is a 501c3 organization so all gifts are tax deductible. |
