Gift is so good. Christmas is the time to give and be gifted. And especially to remember with gratitude and faith the best gift ever: our Savior, Christ the Lord, was born.
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A gift opens the way for the one who sends it. It is interesting how a little boy, Jesus of Bethlehem, opened the way for all humanity to be reconciled with the Father. The Son opened the way for the Father.
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
Gospel of Luke 2:10-12
Genealogies and Gifts
When I was a child I did not understand why the Bible contains long genealogies and that even discouraged me from reading the text. But today I love reading these genealogies and discovering the mysteries they offer us. They show us the value of parenting as well as that children are a gift from the Lord to us.
This week my sister told me that she and my brother-in-law chose their son’s name. She is pregnant and my first nephew will arrive in mid 2020! His name will be Noah. Searching this name in the Bible, I realized that it is in one of the most intriguing genealogies in all of history. By the way, this name means “rest, repose”.
By faith
We find this name again in Hebrews 11, which is a kind of genealogy of faith. Here we see how God counted on men who trusted in Him, and made way for Himself to be born in the form of a boy to reconcile with Himself the humanity far from His glory.
By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
Hebrews 11:6
In this way Noah played a fundamental and prophetic role because, by believing in God’s word, He taught us about the importance of paying the price of living by faith, misunderstood by the world, to experience God’s best in a long term.
When you choose to live by faith in Jesus, you are on the right track. You are paying a high price without seeing the results, but they will surely come. Soon you will be able to sigh and give thanks to God for the reward and joy to come.
Living in the Supernatural
Hebrews 11: 6 says that without faith it is impossible to please God, for those who approach Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him. Note that all work will be rewarded naturally, but one who seeks the Lord will be rewarded supernaturally and truly live.
It was so with Noah, who lived his days in communion with God and built the ark by faith. When the flood came and all died, he survived with his family and the animals they had received into the ark because they believed in God.
God’s Works
When people asked Jesus, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” and He answered:
Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”
Jesus, Gospel of John 6:29
You may not yet be seeing what you expect from God, promises that await years, the restoration of your family, restitution of your finances, or peace in your home. But persist believing because this is the only way for God’s favor to come to you.
A Gift for Dad
For the first time my children realized that they did not have enough money to buy the gift they want to give me this Christmas. But it does not matter. If they chose a gift for me and believe I deserve it, I will pay for “my” gift with joy. This illustrates our relationship with God.
And Christmas is the best time for you to open your heart by faith and decide to live all that God has best for your life and family.
Just as the gift opens the way for the one who gives it to us, we understand that children are a gift from God. And it is the children themselves who open the way for him.
CONCLUSION
Remember this Christmas that Jesus, the Son of God, was born in the flesh and paid the full price so that you can live in peace with God and enjoy your best years from now on. Just open the door of your heart and receive as a gift the privilege of participating in this relationship between the Father and the Son. Welcome to the rest of faith and live the best Christmas of your life! Merry Christmas!
Prayer: Father, thank you for sending your Son Jesus who opened the way for me to live in communion with You. I believe in my heart and therefore declare by faith that I receive your gift of eternal life, in Jesus. Amen.
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