souls redeemed by Jesus

He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

John 1:11-13

Jesus came to this earth, a baby born to Jewish village folks, in poverty and obscurity, to bring deliverance not only to Israel, but to us all. And even though His people Israel rejected Him, Jesus still delivered them and all among Jews and Gentiles all over the world who receive Him as Savior. Belief in His name, in His saving work, makes anyone a child of God, born anew as a soul redeemed by Jesus, the only Savior.

That’s what I celebrate most at Christmas... that Jesus has saved. And that Jesus has saved me... an improbable child of God now whose Scots Irish/German/Native American ancestry puts him far away from any known Jewish roots. But I am one for whom the Messiah was born, lived, died and rose again. I am one of millions of souls redeemed by Jesus and I know this salvation by receiving and believing in Christ alone.

The gospel is the glory of Christmas. A baby born in nowhere to nobody important become the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and Savior of the world!