Christmas time is often a happy time for people, particularly those going home to celebrate the holidays with their loved ones.
While the festive season might be full of cheer and gladness, we all know that anything wrong can happen any moment. And when it happens during Christmas time, we find ourselves getting sad and cold on the inside.
What we must realise, friends, is that no matter what we are going through, whether it's celebrating Christmas away from family, or losing a loved one and eating the Christmas dinner without them for the first time, or even finding yourself getting fired from your job during this season, God is there. He is there.
God Is With Us
Matthew 1:23 tells us that the Saviour, Jesus, also had a name "Immanuel," which means "God is with us." Christ was born to simply show us that God is present in our lives. That God cares. That God wants to reach out to us and bring us back to Him.
In His great and immeasurable love, God sent His one and only begotten Son so that He could bring us back to Him. So that He could redeem us from sin. So that He could restore us to who we really are in Him – sons and daughters intimate with the Father almighty. Yes, He loves us and is constantly present in our lives.
If only we would reach out to Him and focus on His love instead of our hurts, life would indeed be great.
At the Right Time
Galatians 4:4-5 tells us, "But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children."
It was not by coincidence that Christ came.
Dear reader, God sent Jesus at just the right time. While all the world was oblivious to what was happening, the Saviour of the world had been born in an unlikely place, to an unlikely couple who would be His foster parents. Everything didn't seem right, with all the religious leaders of His time not noticing Him, and with a plot to kill Him. It wasn't the right time, it might appear, but to God it was: It was high time for our salvation.
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
God sent His Son at the most opportune time to save us: while we were sinners. He came at the right time. At just the right time.
'What Does That Got to Do With Me?'
Maybe by now you're thinking what does that got to do with you. Here's what: God knows when to come to your rescue. He already sent the greatest rescue of all, born in a stable and crucified on the cross. Christ went through all sorts of pain just for you to have life in Him, and have it abundantly (see John 10:10; Isaiah 53). Let His love heal you and see you through.
No matter what you're going through, my friend, remember that God loves you, is for you, and is very willing to hear you and lavish His love on you. Fix your eyes on Him as He fixed His gaze on you. He loved you so much that He sent Christ Jesus to save you, and give you access to all the love, blessings, provisions, comfort, joy, and security that you need for this life and the life to come.
