Laced With Grace

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

The birth of Jesus and the Christmas season is a celebration of hope! This past Sunday, our pastor taught a powerful message out of Matthew 2:1-20 – The Christmas Story. He painted a very beautiful picture of hope coming to us when Jesus was born. He said, “Before the truth sets us free, it has to make us miserable.”
Those words are so true. In order for us to appreciate and understand the beauty of the birth of Christ, we have to come to the realization that without him, our stories don’t end well. The hope we have through the birth of Christ and ultimately in His death is that we can make the choice to go in a different direction. 1 John 1:9 says,

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

That is God’s promise from His word for us.  He sent us Jesus so we can have hope!  We can know the truth in His word, we can be set free from our sins and our former life and given a new birth – a regeneration – and become children of God.  Our story can end in glory, at the hand of the father – spending eternity with Christ.

If you don’t know Jesus as your savior, your story can end in glory only if you repent of your sins and turn your life over to Him.  God sent His only son to this earth to redeem it, save it and give us a hope to have eternal life with Him.  When the angels announced Christ’s birth to the shepherds in Luke chapter 2, they said they brought “good news of great joy!”  The truth is, the birth of Christ gave us hope and we can accept His free gift of salvation by making the decision to live our lives for Him and in accordance to His will.  That is really what the Christmas story is about.  Hope for the lost, redemption bought with the blood of Christ on the cross for those who believe and eternal glory with the father in heaven.  What greater news could there be this Christmas?  If you would like to know more about accepting Jesus as Savior of your life, please follow this Link.  There could be no greater gift this Christmas that the gift of a personal and real relationship with Jesus and the promise and hope in eternal glory.  Won’t you prayerfully consider allowing Jesus to work in your life this Christmas?

Like these lyrics to the Christmas song say, Mary’s little boy would deliver her.  When she kissed her baby boy, she kissed the face of God, the Great, “I AM.”

Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water? Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters? Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new? This child that you’ve delivered, will soon deliver you. Mary did you know that your baby boy would give sight to a blind man? Mary did you know that your baby boy would calm a storm with his hand? Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod? And when you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God. Oh Mary did you know? The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again.The lame will leap, the mute will speak, the praises of the lamb. Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?Did you know that your baby boy is heaven’s perfect Lamb?This sleeping child you’re holding is the great I am.

Dear Precious Lord, Thank you for the birth of Your son, the perfect lamb and our saving grace.  Thank you for the promises in Your word – the Hope in Christ and the ability to be set free and live in amazing freedom.  Father, I pray for those today who feel hopeless.  I pray that they would have ears to hear Your message of truth and gift of salvation.  Thank you for all these wonderful ladies who faithfully read LWG everyday day and I pray that they have a joyous and Christ filled Christmas this year.  In your holy name, Amen.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!””
~ Luke 2:11-14 (ESV)

When I went through our old Christmas pictures I found the cutest photo of our son unwrapping a gift from his Opa. He was all involved ripping off the paper to see what was inside. Although he was only 18 months, he didn’t reject the wonderful gift he had received. He only got a little upset with his dad taking the picture and interrupting his unwrapping .

It reminded me of how we sometimes reject a gift; we just don’t want to unwrap it because we think there is a catch to it. Some of us still reject the free gift that came from heaven. God sent His one and only son to take on human flesh in order for us to be redeemed.

One of my favorite songs this Christmas season has been the song “How Many Kings” by Downhere (you can hear the song here). I just love the words to the chorus:

How many kings step down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
And how many gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that is torn all apart
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?

There is only one King, one Lord, one God who gave everything up for us – for a fallen world…Why not unwrap the wonderful gift this Christmas. Give Him your heart – you will never regret it.

Merry Christmas!

“And the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord.’” Luke 2:10,11 (NAS)

Unto us a Son is given! The Savior has come – a priceless gift of love from the heart of a loving Father. He came, knowing the cost, and paid it in full. He has done it all, and we have but to receive, with deepest gratitude, the gift wrapped in grace.

We can, like the shepherds, receive the message with faith and accept Him into our hearts. Or like Herod, we can choose to reject the Savior and go our own way. He stands with open arms waiting. If you have never come, you can, with simple faith, walk into those loving arms and know that you will spend eternity with Him. If you have already come, you can rejoice with a heart overflowing with gratitude.

Thank You Father for sending Your beloved Son to pay the penalty for my sins. Thank You Lord Jesus for choosing to come. Such amazing love. This, dear friends, is Christmas.