Merry Christmas to all our friends and family. We started the morning reading about the greatest gift that God gave us...our Savior Jesus Christ.
I'm reminded this morning of something the pastor of one of the churches we attend in Nicaragua said this past Sunday. He said "we are not celebrating a day; we are celebrating an event. The birth of a Savior, who will save the world from their sins." I think that is an important reminder this Christmas morning. It's not about the day, it's not about the gifts, it is about Jesus. Those other things are great and can be a blessing for us and others, but the most important thing you can do today is reflect on just how grateful we are for Jesus. The event of today that we are reminded of is Jesus laying aside his glory to come to earth and be born of a virgin. This was the beginning of God's plan of salvation that culminated on the cross at calvary. Jesus, fully God and fully man, living that perfect life that we couldn't live, and shedding his blood on the cross as payment for our sins so that we could spend eternity with him. By admitting that we are sinners, believing in our heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, and confessing Jesus as Lord we will be saved (Romans 10:9-10). That is ultimately what today is about, remembering the great sacrifice that Jesus made for us, the abundance of love he had for each and every one of us. That he willingly came to this earth knowing what had to happen and loved us enough to do it. Because of his great love for us, we too should have a great love for him and today should be a day we not only celebrate with family and friends but also reflecting with one another on the mighty God we serve.
We are so very thankful for all the many blessings that God and all our friends and family have given us this year. Today is a little bittersweet not being with family, but we are together, and we are loved.
May God bless each and every one of you in the new year to come. Blessings and love to all.
