December 24, 2911 Live Forever

Day 40: December 24

Luke 2:12-14 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

DID YOU ever wonder why God, the eternal Father, the creator of the universe, the one who has made majestic mountains and one-cell animals—would have his very own Son born in a manger?
I’ve been around mangers. They’re dirty. Animals drool into a manger as they eat, and who knows what other organisms live there? Oh, God, couldn’t you at least have opened a room in the crowded inn for your own Son?
Actually, you could ask a number of “why questions” about Jesus’ life. Why was he born into lower-class working family? Why did he wait until he was 30 to begin ministering? Why did people hate him so? Why did they kill him?
Based on the Bible—the beginning to end—I believe the Father’s answer would be something like this:
“Why, you ask, did I allow My Son to have such a hard birth, life and death? It was all for you, my child. You see, my Son is my gift to you. Through him, I have shown you how much I love you. Sending my Son from the most glorious existence in Heaven to the lowliest place on earth was a hard thing to do. But it was and is for you. I wanted to show you real humility, so that you would be humble to let my words teach you. You would be humbled to know I will do anything to save you.
“I wanted my Son to know what work is like for you, so he could understand your frustrations and pain as you turn to him in prayer. My Son’s life was to show you I am willing to do anything to have you turn and call me Father. My Son’s death was to open the doorway to my home for you forever.
“This is all for you, my child. I am a God who walks with you everywhere, even when it stinks, when it’s uncomfortable, when it’s downright hard. My Son has experienced this. He knows your needs. Trust him, and turn to him. When you do, I promise I will welcome you into my home. And we—me, my Son, Spirit and you—will live together forever in the glory the shepherds saw that night.”

Pause and consider God’s eternal gift for you. Have you accepted Jesus as your Savior? If you have yet to do so, here’s God’s promise to you if you do:

Romans 10:9 If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Get on your knees. Pray to God, “Lord, God, I have sinned against you. I am lost without you. Lord, please forgive me of my sins. Take the burden of sin from me as you have promised. Lord, I trust your promise. I receive Jesus into my heart as my Savior. Holy Spirit, guide me in your power that I may live joyfully in a forever friendship with you, the Father, and the Son. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Pray this prayer. Receive the gift and live forever.