“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17)

This Christmas season, let’s keep firmly in mind that the Son of God Jesus Christ was sent into the world as God incarnate, both God and man, on a mission of mercy. Having faithfully completed His redemptive task, Jesus told His Father in heaven, “I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.” (John 17:4) During the course of His three-year earthly ministry, Jesus performed many miracles that demonstrated His deity. Christ also taught powerful lessons of love, forgiveness, and compassion to guide humanity in our relationships with each other. And the LORD set the supreme example of how to live in ways that please God and magnify His glory.

Above all, Jesus, by and for whom all things were created, came into the world to pay the price for our sins and free us from the penalty demanded by a gracious and loving, but just and righteous God. We are not saved by Jesus’ miracles, His teachings, or by following His example of doing good deeds. We are saved by the grace of God through faith in the historical facts that Jesus died on the cross under the weight of our sins, was buried, and was resurrected on the third day in triumph over sin and spiritual death. Our risen LORD died sacrificially so that every believer can have God’s priceless gift of salvation, eternal life, and an ultimate home in heaven. That’s love, and that’s what Christmas is all about!

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved…” (Acts 16:31).