“The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:9-12).
Through this “Advent Adventure,” we’ve looked at the long-awaited, promised and anticipated birth of Jesus Christ the Messiah, from multiple angles, zooming in on all the “characters of Christmas.” Now, let’s make it personal. John’s gospel says plainly that Jesus gives light to every person born. John observed that many who should’ve received Jesus, didn’t, including both Jews and Gentiles. But others welcomed the newborn King. And to them, He gave new life.
Our last step, then, is to simply receive Jesus, moving from the heart-warming, sentimental view of Christmas, to the soul-saving reality that we all need His rescue. We must abandon the fruitless attempt to save ourselves by good works, identify our sin, turn from it, calling upon Jesus and receive Him as Lord and Savior. That’s where life in God’s family begins.
Have you done that? If not, why not take that step now? How? Pray! All who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. So pray something like this: “Father God, thank you for sending Jesus to die for my sin and then to rise from the dead. Please forgive me now as I open my heart to confess Him as my Lord and Savior. The rest of my life is Yours, in Jesus’ Strong Name. Amen.”
And now, welcome to the family of God…And have a Happy New Year!
