As Christmas draws near, our thoughts turn toward the blessed Advent of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. A scripture that is especially precious to me during the Christmas season is John 3:16: "For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only-begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish ( come to destruction, be lost ) but have eternal (everlasting) life. Oh, the depth of these amazing words! With our finite minds, it is impossible to fully comprehend the love of God - a love that would actually take our place and bear the penalty for our sin, in order that we could be delivered from the clutches of the evil one and become God's very Own. Oh, what immeasurable, overwhelming, unfathomable love Our God has for us. In John 4:9,10 we read: "This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins"(NIV). God's love was manifested (shown to us) through giving of the greatest Gift that mankind could ever receive - the Lord Jesus Christ.
In Isaiah 9:6 we read, "Unto us a Son is given". These words speak of the most magnificent and glorious Gift of all - a Gift that can't be bought with the rarest jewels or the finest gold. throughout my lifetime, I have received many wonderful and costly gifts, but none compare to Gods unspeakable Gift, my Beloved Jesus! "He is altogether lovely - the whole of Him delights and is precious. This is my beloved, and this is my friend" (Song of Solomon 5:16).
Altogether lovely He is! He is Emmanuel, God incarnate; the Word made flesh dwelling among men. He is the Ancient of Days, the Eternal One, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. He is the express image of Gods person, the effulgence of God's glory. He is the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world. He is the Messiah, Redeemer, the Faithful Servant, the Son of Righteousness, and the Champion of Love. He is the Conqueror of death; the Firstborn from the dead. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is the Good Shepherd, the Great Physician, the Mediator between God and man; He is the Light of the world and the Bright and Morning Star. He is the Sure Foundation, the Precious Corner Stone, the Rock of Ages, and the Anchor of our soul. He is the One Who was, the One Who is, and the One Who is coming again. There is nothing and there is no one who can compare to our Beloved Jesus! His beauty is beyond description. He is our life, our peace, our joy, and our hope of glory. He is, even as the prophet foretold: Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting father, and the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).
Amidst the hustle and bustle of the holidays, I exhort you, Bride of Christ: Dont neglect the greatest Gift you have been given. Celebrate the Lover of your soul; the One Who came and gave His life that you might have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10)). Reflect on His amazing love and glorious beauty. Worship Him; honor Him. Lavish your affections upon Him; tell Him repeatedly that He is the love of your life. Crave His presence. Take time to be with Him. Savor the preciousness of the moments you spend with your Beloved as you celebrate the reason for the season "Jesus".
Recommended Reading:
A God in Love with His Cherished Creation
God's Eternal Love Story
Embracing A Personal And Passionate Relationship with God
Scripture References:
John 3:16
1 John 4:9-10
Isaiah 9:6
Song of Solomon 5:16