Merry Christmas everyone!

Do you remember why we celebrate Christmas?

Dad’s do your kids really know what Christmas is about?

It is to remember and give thanks for God the Son, coming to earth in the flesh, and being willing to die a humiliating criminal’s death on a cross for a humanity whose sin condemned us all to eternal punishment.

It’s not about gifts.

It’s not about Santa Claus.

It’s not about money.

It’s about a divine rescue plan that was put in order from Genesis 3:15:

“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

This is known as the “protoevangelium”. Gotquestions.org says,

 “Genesis 3:15 is known as the protoevangelium — the first gospel. The verse introduces two elements previously unknown in the Garden of Eden, elements which are the basis of Christianity—the curse on mankind because of Adam’s sin and God’s provision for a Savior from sin who would take the curse upon Himself.“

This is Christmas! He was born TO die!

Romans 5:7-8 says,

“For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

That’s how we get to John 3:16:

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

The “He gave” is Christmas!

The “He gave” is also Resurrection Sunday that we celebrate in April. So this is just the beginning.

But notice the “whoever believes in Him” portion of the verse? It is those who do not perish, but have everlasting life. The gospel never says everyone will believe in Jesus Christ and enter into eternal life. Revelation 20:11-15 says,

“Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 12And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. 13And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. 14Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”

If you’re reading this and thinking that your good works will get you into heaven or a better afterlife, this judgements for you! Do you ever think that your sin against a holy God can ever be atoned for by you? Even just the absurdity of that “plan” shows the pride deep in your heart. Let me put it this way, if someone murders your child and they are only 20-years old, should we let them out of prison or even give them probation because before and after, they seemed to be pretty upright people? No, I’m sure you’d say they still need to be punished for what they have done.

Without Jesus Christ as your substitute, you will be punished as well.

He came to earth to die for YOU!

Now what will you do with that gift?

Will you toss it aside like your kids will do with many of their gifts after a couple of weeks?

Or will you repent for offended God with your sins and trust Him to save and deliver you from this day forward?

Remember, Santa’s not the one who’s going to find out who’s naughty or nice.

Hebrews 4:12-13: For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.

Psalms 33: 13-15: 13The LORD looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men; 14From His dwelling place He looks out On all the inhabitants of the earth, 15He who fashions the hearts of them all, He who understands all their works.…