“And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.” Luke 2:16 (ESV)
It is said that the value of an object is found in the price someone is willing to pay for it. The glorious Man Christ Jesus valued us so much that He intentionally and willingly paid for us with His life! As we celebrate His birthday this weekend, understand this, He came to earth, laying aside His divinity, to become like us, so we could know God, and so that He could pay the ransom price for our sin. We celebrate Christmas because God created us as valuable to Him, and paid everything for us.
The Christmas song, O Holy Night, captures this thought in the phrase,
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
‘Til He appears and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Our soul finds its worth in Christ Jesus. In this dark hour, as the battle rages for the soul of our nation, which includes each one of us, grasp this, you are deeply loved and valued by God!
This weekend as you celebrate Christmas, remember that Jesus is not just the reason for the season, but that little baby laying the manger is the One who was nailed to the cross for you! He came intentionally because He saw you as valuable! Take time to thank Him and to ponder these things in your heart (Luke 2:19)!
