“God is love…We love because He first loved us” 1 John 4:16-19

The first 30 years of my life the Christmas season was a mixture of several enjoyable things. While in school it brought two weeks of relief and on the job it brought several days of vacation time. I liked Christmas trees and lights, opening presents, the outdoor nativity scene at the church, Christmas candy, the traditional homemade fruitcake and downtown Sapulpa being so alive. There was only one thing wrong with all of that; Jesus Christ, the One whom it was all about, was just one thing among the many that had my attention and proportionately, He had very little of that.

I thank God as a child I was taught the truth about Jesus: His virgin birth, His crucifixion, resurrection, seated at God’s right hand and coming again with power and glory. However, for the first 20 years of my life I never heard the most important truth of all: God loves me; Jesus loves me.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it. There is no judgment awaiting those who trust him.” John 3:16-18

Are you the world’s worst sinner?  Then it was precisely for you that God sent His Son into this world and it was for you that Christ died on the cross.

Here is love: Jesus came into this world to redeem us from Hell and to bring us to become sons of glory that God might pour out His riches on us.

Jesus Christ is God’s priceless gift to fallen, sinful man. In Him, God offers us full pardon of all our sins, and everlasting life. His gift is for everyone who believes in Him. The simplicity of receiving God’s gift is best expressed by the Apostle Paul: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13

God loves you unconditionally. When you receive His Son, you receive His love; when you reject His Son, you turn your back on the greatest love ever given to man. Because I am in Christ, I am a child of God and the Lord is my Shepherd.

That dear friends is the ultimate Christmas gift, more costly than silver and gold.

To all of my faithful readers, thank you and Merry Christmas, Brother Bill.