Perfect love… that is what Christmas means to me; no more the ‘accidental’ offspring; the result of a ‘mistake’; the best made of a bad situation.

None of those realities matter at all anymore because perfect, pursuing, unconditional, unending, and unfailing love, came at Christmas.  Mary held Him in her arms and kissed his face.  God became man because He would not…could not…stop loving us.

Therefore, in the best of times; and in the worst of times, no matter how, or when or where, I will celebrate the Christ of Christmas …because He came.

12.       Because He came…perfect love has come

“…Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.  For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39

11.       Because He came…our deepest needs are fully supplied

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound…to comfort all who mourn…to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness…”  Isaiah 61:1-3

10.       Because He came…there is light in the darkest times

“The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light; and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned.”  Matthew 4:16

“He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.  In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.  And the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it.”John 1:2-5

9.         Because He came…we are saved to abundant life

“I am the door.  If anyone enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.  The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.  I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:9-10

8.         Because He came…reconciliation with God is possible

“And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight…”  Colossians 1:21-22

7.         Because He came…we have the right to become children of God

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name; who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:12-13

6.         Because He came…there is correction but never condemnation

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”  Romans 8:1

5.         Because He came…we are saved to purpose

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.  For we are His workmanship (masterpiece) created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10

4.         Because He came…there is equality for all in the presence of God

“For you are all sons of God of God through faith in Christ Jesus…there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26,28

“But now in Christ Jesus you who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation…” Ephesians 2:13-14

3.         Because He came…one day there will be no more war

“He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and the spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” Isaiah 2:4

2.         Because He came…we have hope

“…Eye has not see, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” I Corinthians 2:9

1.         Because He came…He will come again!

“And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be His people.  God Himself will be with them, and be their God.  And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.  There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.’  Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’  And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.’” Revelation 21:3-5 

“Now may the God of peace Himself, sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He who calls you is faithful, who will also do it.”  I Thessolonians 5:23-24

 Have a blessed Christmas, and purpose-filled New Year!