17For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)18Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.19For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous.
It took one man, Adam, to sentence the entirety of the human race to death, separation from God for eternity, but it took one man, Jesus Christ, to reverse the curse on humanity and to bring us back into fellowship with God the Father. His coming to earth as a man and living a perfect life qualified Him to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins - He was sinless, but He took the sins of the world upon Himself so that He could break sin's power over every believer. When we reflect on Jesus coming to earth, it's important that we recognize the significance of His life, death, and resurrection.
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As we continue our 25-Day Spiritual Adventure, we have examined some of the anticipation of the coming of Christ, from creation to His being born on earth. And, this week, we've concentrated on the arrival of our Lord Jesus. Today, as we near the midpoint of this Advent-ure, we come to that pivotal moment - a moment so profound in human history, when the Savior of the World was born as a man to save mankind.
In Luke chapter 2, verses 6 and 7, we read the news:
6So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.7And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
I was intrigued to find a hashtag on Twitter that was trending yesterday called, #ChristmasStarts. It seems that was inspired by a new campaign that is centered on a 45-second video that debuted on Thursday. On the U.K. Daily Mail website, Steve Clifford, general director of the Evangelical Alliance, is quoted as saying: "Despite the attempts of our leading supermarkets, the magic of Christmas does not lie in celebrities singing about turkeys, nostalgic chocolate bars or happy penguins.
He added, "There really has to be more to Christmas than a battle between Sainsbury's, John Lewis and Marks & Spencer – or between X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing," and said, "The 'Christmas starts with Christ' video ad takes viewers to the moment where Christmas began."
And, indeed it does:
Francis Goodwin, head of the Christmas Starts With Christ campaign, said: "The supermarket ads, which were released last month, offered a feel good take on Christmas designed to influence consumers into spending money with them."
"But they all avoided any reference to the religious meaning of the season. We thought it was time to produce the Christmas ad which the supermarkets are unable to make – one which shows where the feel good factor comes from."
He said, "We are asking people to watch it, judge for themselves and share it with friends."
The Daily Mail describes the video as starting with a young couple sat in front of their Christmas tree - their infant child in a wicker basket on the floor in front of them.
The report relates that in a matter of seconds, the sumptuous living room is transformed into the stable in Bethlehem where Jesus was born - and the giggling baby is now lying in the manger in a bed of straw.
It ends with the words "Christmas Starts With Christ" and the hashtag #ChristmasStarts - inviting viewers to share the video, and their responses, on social media.
"But they all avoided any reference to the religious meaning of the season. We thought it was time to produce the Christmas ad which the supermarkets are unable to make – one which shows where the feel good factor comes from."
He said, "We are asking people to watch it, judge for themselves and share it with friends."
The Daily Mail describes the video as starting with a young couple sat in front of their Christmas tree - their infant child in a wicker basket on the floor in front of them.
The report relates that in a matter of seconds, the sumptuous living room is transformed into the stable in Bethlehem where Jesus was born - and the giggling baby is now lying in the manger in a bed of straw.
It ends with the words "Christmas Starts With Christ" and the hashtag #ChristmasStarts - inviting viewers to share the video, and their responses, on social media.
This apparently marks the first time that Christian groups have paid for a video advertisement as part of a social media campaign. The Church of England, the Evangelical Alliance and Bible Society, are among the churches and Christian charities that are supporting the video
It's sponsored by ChurchAds.net and Premier, which is a multimedia Christian company that includes Christian radio.
And, according to the website, ChristmasStarts.com, people are sharing how or when #ChristmasStarts for them.
Today, as we focus squarely on the arrival of our Lord and His actual birth, we can return to the centrality of the message of Christmas. There are many wonderful traditions that we celebrate during this season, but we have to be mindful why we are celebrating in the first place. And, there is plenty for which to be thankful:
We have been given new life in Jesus.
We have been delivered from the darkness of evil into the light of the goodness and glory of God.
We have victory over the power of sin and death.
We can have the assurance of salvation through the presence of Jesus.
We can have fellowship with God the Father and walk with Jesus daily.
These are just a few of the reasons that Christmas is so compelling. But, the simplicity of the message is that Christ, in His great love, came to redeem fallen humanity, to save you and me. To the believer in Christ, it represents the hope for new life that we have been given and the salvation that can only be found in Him. That salvation results in the experience of God's love, of
the peace that passes all understanding, the joy that can fill our hearts, and so much more.
Do you have this peace with God? Do you know this loving and powerful Savior, who can transform your life? You can know Him today. The Bible says in Romans 10:
9 ...if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.10For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
You can pray a simple prayer and admit that you are a sinner and need a Savior. Then, as Romans 10 instructs, believe in your heart that Jesus died for you and is risen from the dead. And, confess that He is Lord. If you'd like to know more, go to PeaceWithGod.net through our website at www.faithradio.org or go to NeedHim.org.
You can pray a simple prayer and admit that you are a sinner and need a Savior. Then, as Romans 10 instructs, believe in your heart that Jesus died for you and is risen from the dead. And, confess that He is Lord. If you'd like to know more, go to PeaceWithGod.net through our website at www.faithradio.org or go to NeedHim.org.
What a wonderful Christmas gift that you can receive, to come to know Jesus as the Lord and Savior of your life!
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