Thola i AppCome and SeeIsampula
Upon the entrance of Christ into the world, heaven and earth collided. This divine impact
had been foretold 700 years earlier by the prophet, Isaiah, who exclaimed, “Unto us a Son is
given.”
Is there any word as astounding as this one? “Given.” From the highest exaltation of
heaven to the lowest recesses of the earth came to us the most beautiful, the most valuable, and
the most undeserved gift. And not only were we given a Savior, we were given a Son. The
Father reveals His astonishing love for us in this. The gift of His only Son, so that we will live. It
is only by this precious gift that life is found.
It is a mystery that is too high to fully understand. But the mystery should never cause the
magnitude of this gift to lose its impact. Those dying can accept the free gift of God’s grace, invite Jesus to be the Lord of their life and then they will live forever. The wonder and amazement of this truth should never stop taking our breath away. When we look to our Lord and believe, nothing is ever the same. We are made new. Born into new life, with a new heart and a new spirit. The worldly is transformed by the heavenly and earthly pleasures lose all appeal in the brilliance of our new life with God.
John the Baptist understood this. The praises of people and the earthly standards of
success are worthless when seen in the light of what God has given. Christ is now all that
matters. No kingdom on earth could ever measure up to the King sent from heaven. Let all see
Him and know Him and become like Him. He must become greater and greater. We must
become less and less. The kingdom of God has come to earth. How great the Father’s love. A
Son is given!
DAILY READING
Read John 3
CHRISTMAS CONNECTION
Our familiarity with the Christmas story can cause us to lose the wonder of God’s gift to us. The
Son was the most beautiful and sacrificial gift, and just as God generously gave to us, we
demonstrate our love by generously giving to others. Find someone in need to give to this
Christmas. Look for a charitable organization or someone you know who may be hurting and
find a way to bless them.
Mayelana naloluHlelo
Stories of the nativity are important, but the story of why Jesus came should involve so much more than a manger scene. Focusing on one chapter a day through the book of John will reveal the beauty of who Christ is and why His birth was so important. In the flurry of Christmas, keep your eyes on Him. Come and see why Jesus is our greatest gift.
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