Last month I won a beautiful devotional in a contest that Lindsey had. It is called "The Glorious Coming" and covers the Advent Season from the Story of Creation in Genesis to Jesus' birth.
I began reading today, and it is just beautiful. It is the story of the beginning of time as we know it. The story of how all of God's creation began. It is the beginning of the salvation story.
As I held my Bible in my hands there was a fresh renewal of the wonder that it is truly Jesus' story. From Genesis to Revelation, it is all about Him. As the heavens and the earth were taking form He knew. He knew that He would one day give His life to save the very ones He was creating. And so the story began.
Our choir director reminded us last night before we began to practice for our Christmas Concert that it isn't really about a manger; it is about the cross. I am overwhelmed with gratitude. He loved us so much that He was willing to leave heaven and all of its glory to come and be one of us - so that some day we could be like Him. Did He have a conversation with His Father as they were creating the place we call home? Did the Father talk with Him about the plan? Did He ask His precious Son one more time if He was truly willing to suffer and die and bear our sins in His body? It fills my heart with overflowing love and gratitude to hear Him answer, "Yes. I am willing."
I love Christmas. I love all the things we do with family and friends. I love sharing and giving gifts and decorating and singing carols and baking cookies. But in and through all of that I want to remember that the tiny hands of the infant whose birth we celebrate were pierced for me; that His blood was shed for the forgiveness of my sins. What a precious Savior.
Blessings,
Linda