Remembering the reason for the season

The message of Christmas is one of incredible love and joy.

Firstly it's the love of a Father's heart towards us, who sent His only Son to earth, to be our Saviour. It's the love of a Fathers heart, that couldn't bear the separation from us caused by sin.

Secondly, the Fathers heart is no different to our hearts when we have children. He wanted to announce it, celebrate it, and shout it from the roof tops. Jesus was the apple of His eye and He wanted the world to know it. Just look at the account in the Bible of what happened:

'And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."'

The Father gave us everything we could possibly want or need in Jesus. He is called 'wonderful counselor', 'everlasting Father', 'mighty God' 'Prince of peace'.

Jesus isn't distant or cold, but close and passionate about us. In this life, we all need peace, He is peace; we all need good counsel, He is a wonderful counselor; we all need someone strong that can help us, He is a mighty God; we all need the love of a parent, He is an everlasting Father.

Jesus is God who was willing to take on human form, entering into His creation. As God, He has known what it's like for us to live this life on earth and He is compassionate and loving towards us.

Just as Aslan did for Edmund in The Lion The Witch And The Wardrobe, Jesus sacrificed Himself on our behalf.

Christmas is a great big birthday party for Him. It's a day once a year, where we corporately and individually celebrate His life.

Personally I am in awe of my Father in Heaven who loved me enough to send His Son to earth and I am deeply grateful to Jesus for coming, suffering and dying for my sins, all those things I've done and will do that are wrong. Through Him our mourning is turned to dancing, the ashes of our lives are created into something that is beautiful.

Jesus is alive today having risen from death and He sits at the right hand of the Father. The baby became a man, our Saviour!