MERRY CHRISTMAS

I’m not sure we really understand the love of God for us.Isaiah 53:10 says that “the LORD was pleased to crush him severely.”This prophecy was a prediction of Jesus, that the Lord would send His Son, in flesh, to be the sacrifice for our sins and redeem us to Himself. And it would mean His Son would be literally crushed. His death would be required. And God not only allowed it, he desired it. I just can’t wrap my mind and heart around this idea.God didn’t hesitate to give up what was the closest, most precious and most valuable relationship He ever knew for us. He didn’t mind entering into dirty stables or messy hearts. He allowed his Son to be afflicted, tortured, beaten and sacrificed ... a lamb to the slaughter... because He wanted to provide a way for us to be right with Him when our sins separated us from His Holy nature. And we were worth it. You are worth it. Yes, even at your worst, you are so loved.He planned it. He allowed it and He required it. We deserved that sentence, not Jesus. But He was “pleased” to give his life. His amazing grace and love compelled Him to save us!Can you imagine allowing your own precious child to go through the unimaginable for for those who reject you?I can’t. I can’t relate. I can’t get there. I can’t imagine allowing my child to suffer anything like that for anyone. I don’t know or understand that kind of love.Do you feel loved?Christmas is such a gift. Jesus is such a gift. Salvation and life forever is such a gift. And Jesus paid for this gift with His life. He was born to die.God’s love is unfathomable. I don’t know what you are going through right now. Maybe you feel a bit overwhelmed, weary, anxious or hopeless. I get it. It’s easy to get caught up in the crazy of all the Christmas activities and expectations of the season, letting them distract or even depress us. But when we do, we miss it.Don’t miss hope.The deepest aches of our hearts, the loss of loved ones and the messy, broken situations we find ourselves in get loud and overwhelming this time of year. Know this, God understands every hurt, every loss, every ache and pain. Christmas proves it. Christmas is a story of God becoming all that we are, experiencing all that we go through and then replacing it with hope. He replaces it with Himself. And it pleased Him to do it.Christmas leaves the weary world rejoicing.Pause. Be still and let your heart grasp the incredible love of God displayed in a dirty animal shelter over 2000 years ago, but planned for eternity and all because of His love for you and me.What a Merry Christmas.