Well, there are 16 more days until Christmas. Are you stressed out? Are you busy, busy, busy and forgetting to remember the reason for the season? What do you celebrate on Christmas?

I invite you to take a moment and do a spiritual inventory on this season. Do any of your gifts reflect your love for the babe in the manger? Have you taken time to walk with the Lord during the busy holiday season of shopping, wrapping, baking, writing out Christmas cards, visiting, etc.? What is the reason for the season?

Luke 2

¹And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. ²(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) ³And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. ⁴And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) ⁵To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. ⁶And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. ⁷And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. ⁸And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. ¹⁰And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. ¹¹For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. ¹²And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. ¹³And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ¹⁴Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

So why was the Christ Child born in a manger? The Bible says in Verse 10 says “I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Verse 11 says “For unto you is born this day, in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. You see, it doesn’t end with the babe in the manger. That is just the beginning! God sent His only begotten Son to be born in a manger so that He could die on the cross for our sins. For my sins. For your sins. We are all sinners. No matter how good you may think you are, you are NOT perfect, the Bible says in Romans 3:10 “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” Therefore, you and I are sinners. We all fall short of God’s standard of perfection. Romans 3:23 says “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

You see, there is a penalty for our sin. The penalty is death. Romans 6:23 says “For the wages of sin is death.“ Ezekiel 18:4 says “the soul that sinneth, it shall die.”

But, why would a loving God send His only begotten Son to be born in a manger only to die some 30 years later? Because God created you and loves you! John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

So the babe in the manger is a gift from God to all of us. However, it is not ours, until we receive the gift. So, how does someone who is not perfect get into Heaven? It is the recognition that we will never measure up to God’s standard of perfection, and coming to God with a repentant heart, and asking the Lord to save us. A repentant heart…what is that? Well, it is seeing yourself as God sees you – a sinner. It is asking God to forgive you for you sins. The Bible says in 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

You see, I was brought up Catholic and always went to Midnight Mass. I knew in my mind that Jesus was born in a manger and even that He died on the cross for my sins, However, I never took that gift as my own, until April 14, 1998, when I received Christ as my Saviour. Romans 10:9-10 says “For if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt BELIEVE IN THINE HEART (emphasis added is mine) that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

The desire of my heart is that ALL my friends and family and anyone that I meet might accept God’s free gift of salvation for themselves. I cannot say a prayer and save you. Only God can save you from going to Hell when you die. It’s your choice! I pray that you have the Christmas JOY that can only come from Christ. Jesus is my JOY!

Have a blessed, JOYful, Merry Christmas!