perfect Christmas gift

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

John 3:16-17

In all my years of journaling through the Bible, I can’t believe I’ve never paused to journal on this passage, but here I am, reflecting on John 3:16, on Christmas Eve, 2019. It seems the perfect timing. I am always blessed in worship during Advent. The time of anticipation for Christmas, combined with the hope in the gospel proclaimed in the birth of Jesus are wonderful worship, whether in a church service with God’s people, or in private quiet times.

Yet this reminder in the gospel of John could be no more powerful. That baby born in Bethlehem that shepherds visited, angels proclaimed, and wise men sought, was God’s way of invading our broken world to fix it all. He was a gift of God’s love for the world... the perfect gift. He was the Giver of eternal life in a world dark with death.

And Jesus did not come to tell us how bad we are! He didn’t come to march us all to Hell without our suppers. Jesus came to save, and the hope of salvation is not restricted... “the world might be saved through him.” God loves every soul on the planet in the saving work of Jesus. He came to live, to die, and to beat death in an empty tomb... for all of us! God blessed us everyone! Now to worship and to share the joy of the hope of the gospel in a Merry Christmas.