R is for RECONCILED.
What does reconcile mean? It's not a word we hear every day! Reconcile means "to reestablish a close relationship between" or "to settle or resolve."
Christmas is the perfect time to stop and consider what it means that sinners can be reconciled to God, but first we have to look to the very beginning of the Bible. There once was a time that man walked in harmony with God. Before Adam and Eve were created, they walked with God in the Garden of Eden. After they sinned, though, they were separated from Him. His presence was still with them, but their fellowship was broken, and their sin kept them from knowing God like they once did. God didn't just tell them that they were hopeless sinners, headed for the eternal death they deserved. Instead, He began to reveal His plan of reconciliation - a plan that certainly included the birth of Christ!
Because God is perfect and holy, He couldn't even look at sin. But His redemptive plan was to send His Son Jesus to pay the penalty for Adam and Eve's sin - for OUR sins - a debt that we could never, ever pay. He offered a way of reconciliation to mankind by sending His Son. It’s because of Christ’s birth, life and sacrifice that men can again know the God of the Universe. God is able to "reestablish a close relationship" with us if we turn to Him. Christ's death "settled and resolved" the debt that we owed! Isn't that a good reason to celebrate Christmas?
Do you know Him?
Is there a difference between knowing about Him and knowing Him?
“All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” - 2 Corinthians 5:18-21
S is for SIMEON.
Jesus’ birth was special to all of mankind, but it was especially special to a man named Simeon. God had told Simeon that he would not die until He saw the Messiah. One day, Jesus’ parents took Him to the temple, and Simeon was there. When Simeon saw Him, he took Him into his arms and this is what he said, “'Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.'”
Simeon knew that Jesus’ birth meant that his Savior had arrived. This gave Simeon so much peace. When we talk about “peace on earth” at Christmas, this is the kind of peace we mean - peace in our hearts because of Christ!
How do you think Simeon felt when he held Jesus, the child he knew would bring a way of salvation? Why do you think he said "you may now dismiss your servant in peace?"
Letters A and B
Letters C and D
Letters E and F
Letters G, H and I
Letters J and K
Letters L and M
Letters N and O
Letters P and Q
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