This year has been different. I love Christmas, just as I always have. I love Santa and presents and decorations and cookies. I love Christmas music, Christmas trees, and the winter outfits we get to wear around Christmas. But none of that seems to matter as much this year.
So much has happened, and in the wake of all of that I've been evaluating my life and the things I've learned. And this year Christmas means more. Jesus means more.
It really is beautiful - the story of Jesus. How He was promised so long ago, when man first fell. How He is seen so clearly throughout history even before he came. How His faithful servants longed for Him, waited for Him, and predicted Him.
And then - finally - He came. So unexpectedly. Not the King they'd all been waiting for. But a baby. In a single night the entire world was changed. In that baby, hope was born. He hadn't come to rule yet; He came to give hope. To seek and save the lost.
And then He died. He died the most torturous death - having done nothing wrong - to pay for the sin of mankind. With His last breath He cried out in victory, "It is finished!" He had conquered sin. He bridged the gap between His father and fallen mankind.
But unlike any other story, this one did not end in death; for when He defeated sin He defeated its consequence. He rose again giving hope of life for those who believe in the truth of this beautiful story. For those who recognize their loss and His win.
His story does not even end there, amazingly. For one day He will be the King we've been waiting for. He will rule in righteousness. And into eternity, when the last battle has been won, we will celebrate Him. We will celebrate His beautiful story, and His grace in allowing us to be a part of it.
These are the things on which I have been thinking this Christmas. I am mesmerized by it and the realization that this is what matters. Everything I'm going through right now is ok because this is what matters. And I love that.
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