Emmanuel: God With Usনমুনা
Why God chose Christmas
Can you imagine what would have happened if only Eve had sinned in the Garden of Eden, and Adam hadn't known about Eve's mistake at the time? God would have had to inform Adam that his beloved wife must die for her sin.
Now, imagine that it was you who made this mistake! No one but you was aware of your sin, and there was no way you could make amends. You disobeyed God, and death was the punishment. Without Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross, you would be lost. You probably don't even want to think about it.
Even before the beginning of time, God knew that the people He would create would end up sinning. Their disobedience would break His heart! But right from the outset, God's love shone through as He created a way to save the people He loved. "God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them." (1 John 4:16, NIV)
How would He do this? He would give His only Son to die in their place—in OUR place. Jesus could take our place because He never sinned. He could be our substitute, taking the punishment for us all! In fact, Jesus—wholly God and wholly man—would live among us for thirty-three years before willingly going to the cross. "…Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!" (Philippians 2:6-8, NIV)
This Christmas, God wants to show you His love in a whole new way. No matter how your year has gone, always remember that Jesus died so that you could live!
I encourage you to give your burden to Him today through a prayer from your heart and to bring to mind His sacrificial love in the coming days. Christmas is proof that God's love is endless!
"'For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.'" (John 3:17, NIV)
You are a miracle!
Déborah
About this Plan
Hope has come into the world! It’s Jesus—God with us! At this time of the year, we celebrate the greatest Miracle ever. It came in a small package and had an eternal impact on you and me. Will you come and spend some time reflecting and preparing your heart for this amazing Emmanuel—God who is with us?
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