Christmas is grace if Christmas is anything at all.

If it had not been for His birth, there would be no Christmas.

Oh, there would be other holidays to acknowledge, other festivals and feast days, but no Rescuer come to save the perishing. We would be the people still walking in darkness, still trying our best to keep the law, continuing to do all the good works we could in hopes it would be enough.

It is never enough.

There would be no gifts to commemorate the wise, star-gazing travelers, no angels sitting atop evergreen trees, no anthems of joy, no manger scenes, no bells proclaiming peace on earth and goodwill to men.

But the mystery of heaven did appear. Majesty and splendor encapsulated small into human form. The living Word became cooing infant. The breath of  Jehovah took His first gulp of oxygen with a loud baby cry.

So whether on not there are presents under your tree – no matter the unsolved problems that weigh heavy – though anxiety threatens the atmosphere of your soul – when the future looks scary – if family members are missing at the table – know this for a certainty:

Unto you is born a Savior who is Christ the Lord!

He gives melody to our songs. He brings peace to our storms. He offers forgiveness to us sinners and mercy to we who were outcast. He is hope for the hopeless, joy for the sorrowing, strength for the weak. He is life for whosoever will.

He is the One and only who gives us reason to celebrate the season of Christmas. He is the Christ, the Messiah, the Promise, the Image of the invisible God, the Fullness of the Godhead.

He is Jesus, born the King and Messiah, the One we have been waiting for.

Come let us adore Him. Behold His glory and experience His grace.

Sunday grace.

Revised and reposted from December 2016