“That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”–John 3:15—17
I heard about a family who was driving to church for a Christmas Eve service and singing Christmas songs. Each member was choosing a favorite that they all would sing. When it came to the youngest boy in the family, he said that his favorite Christmas song was “Jesus Loves Me.” While that’s not what we normally think of as a Christmas carol, it is certainly fully appropriate at Christmas and all through the year, for it sums up the message and meaning of Christmas perfectly.
This special time of year is a celebration, most of all, of God’s amazing love for us. We had nothing good in ourselves—no hope of salvation and no reason to expect grace. Yet the greatest love in the universe brought the very Son of God from Heaven’s throne to a manger, and then to a cross. The message of Christmas is the message of God’s love.
Jesus did not come to be praised and worshiped, though He is worthy of all praise. He did not come to take an earthly throne, though one day He will rule the world. Jesus came to provide us the gift of eternal life. He said, “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). As you celebrate Christmas this year, remember that Jesus loves you, and that He loves the world. Then do all you can to share that love with those who have not yet received it. (Paul Chappell)
