The Reason for the Season

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The Reason for the Season

Andrea Lende • November 14, 2021

II Corinthians 5:19

The Reason for the Season

You can listen to the devotion and prayer at: https://anchor.fm/andrea-lende/episodes/The-Reason-for-the-Season-e1a8rct

II Corinthians 5:19

“It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself, not counting up and holding against [men] their trespasses [but canceling them] and committing to us the message of reconciliation (of the restoration to favor).”

I have been getting all the things ready for Christmas this last week.

And as I do, I find myself looking at everything through the lens of the celebration of Jesus’ birth.

Our passage touched my heart as I read it through this lens.

“It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself.”

We have so much to be thankful for in these few short words, “restoring the world to favor with Himself.”

So undeserved and yet so graciously given.

We have favor with the Lord.

Imagine that – having favor with the One Who Created everything.

And it is all because of His Son and His sacrifice.

He chose to leave heaven’s door where all was perfect.

Being born into this dusty messy world.

He chose difficulty over ease.

Living two thousand years ago was hard.

Growing up is hard.

Learning a trade and working as a Carpenter is hard.

I imagine nothing about Jesus’ life was easy.

And yet, He was willing to come to this earth to save us all.

The One and only true Super-Hero.

The One Who came to restore the world to favor with God.

Cancelling our trespasses, sins, and shortcomings in God’s eyes.

Making us perfect in God’s sight.

We have so much to be thankful for in Christ.

We are saved from ourselves.

We are part of God’s royal family.

We are called God’s children.

Today I choose to hold Jesus’ sacrifice close to my heart as I continue to make plans to celebrate His birth.

May you find God’s graciousness is spilled over into all the areas of your life even as the busyness of this Christmas Season begins.

Daily Prayer:

O Lord, my God, thank You for reminding me of the reason for this Christmas Season. As we embark on the busyness that accompanies this Season, help me reflect on the Your immense grace. Help me hold Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice close to my heart. His whole life was a sacrifice as He left the perfection of heaven’s door. He gave unselfishly in every way. Help me give of myself, Father. Keep me from being selfish or stingy throughout this Season. Help me give freely and abundantly to those around me. I pray for strength to do all You ask me to do. Help me serve with a joyful heart. Help me bless someone this day. Thank You for hearing my prayer.

Answer: I gave My Son to bring you close to Me for you are beautiful to Me, My child, and I want to be close to you.

Response: Undeserving of all You have done for me, thank You most gracious and merciful God.

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What a wonderful passage to read during Christmas week. Our passage touched my heart as I read it through the lens of Jesus’ birth. “It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself.” We have so much to be thankful for in these few short words, “restoring the world to favor with Himself.” So undeserved and yet so graciously given. We are offered favor with the Lord. Imagine having favor with the almighty God, the Creator of the universe. Jesus chose to leave heaven’s door where all was perfect. He chose to be born into this dusty messy world.

This is a picture of red Christmas balls and the words Merry Christmas

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