Scripture Reading — Romans 8:1-17
Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God… And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
—Romans 8:14-15 —
This is the time of year when our hearts turn toward home and loved ones. We look forward to family gatherings, and we are saddened if we can’t be home for Christmas.
For our sake, Christ actually left his home at Christmas. He left the glory of heaven to come to our sin-filled world. The Holy One came to the unholy; the Creator came to his broken, cor-rupted creation.
Sin alienated us from God. Jesus took the initiative to seek us out and bring us back. He came to bear our sin. He came to be cut off from the Father’s love because of his love for us. He came to earth to bring us to heaven. He paid our debt to provide the way home to the Father.
Through Jesus we are adopted as God’s beloved children. It is through Christ that we can call the almighty, holy God “Abba, Father.” Our equivalent word for Abba is “Daddy.” I still remember the joy of times when my children ran to my arms, crying “Daddy!” when I came home. Abba is the trusting child’s cry of joy and love.
What a privilege we have in Jesus that we can call God “Abba, Father.” May we grow as his children in an ever-deepening relationship of gratitude and love.
Prayer
Thank you, Jesus, for coming to earth to bring us home to our heavenly Father. Deepen our love, and may our lives reflect that we are children of God. In your name, Amen.
God With Us
Scripture Reading — John 1:1-14
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
—John 1:14 —
Sometimes it takes a while to understand what is going on around you.
On October 30, 2010, shoppers filled Macy’s department store in Philadelphia. It was a normal shopping day until, without any fanfare, over 650 singers from the area joined the Opera Company of Philadelphia Chorus and began singing Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus.” At first, shoppers appeared confused as they came to see what was happening. The singers were not on a stage but were interspersed among the shoppers. People recorded the event on their cameras, and it soon went public on the Internet. This “random act of culture” may have looked spontaneous, but it took some effort to make this event happen.
When Jesus appeared on earth, it initially looked like a random birth. Though a few people knew of Jesus’ coming, most were unaware of the plans that had been made in heaven in order to bring us a Savior.
The Gospel of John gives us a glimpse into the background planning that went into bringing Jesus to us. The birth of Christ was more than a simple occasion of a young woman giving birth in a stable, to which shepherds and wise men came to visit. This was an occasion that God had choreographed to rescue people from all nations. Let’s rejoice today, for God made his dwelling on earth for us!
Prayer
We praise you for your great plans and works of salvation, Lord Jesus. Help us to see the amazing love you have shown in coming to be with us to save us. Amen.
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