A New Birth - a Special Christmas Devotion

 

Ecclesiastes 3:11; Galatians 4:4-5

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end. 

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

Throughout A Christmas Carol, Scrooge—a man who demanded accuracy and precision in his life and business—had zero control over time. The Ghost of Christmas Past appeared at the right time, but Present was late, and Future was early! Also, he had no idea how much time had passed for the dreams to occur; it seemed like days. How relieving when he got the attention of a boy to ask what day it was, and it was Christmas day. He didn’t miss it! He gets a second chance to benefit from more time on earth, but this time to make amends! 

Just like Scrooge 2.0, don’t miss the joy and beauty of Christmas. An infinite God came down into our finite world to change our eternity. A portion of the mystery of God’s work revealed in His Son. Emmanuel, God with us, God becoming man! And all of this was made beautiful according to God’s perfect timing (the fullness of time). Jesus was born of a woman (the miraculous, unique conception of a virgin), and born under the law; becoming the perfect sacrifice for those under the law. Not just for Jews, but every person regardless of background. When we trust in the Lord for salvation, He adopts us as children. 

Upon this new birth, while we’re still in our finite bodies in this fallen world, we can work to see those around us ready for eternity. Ebenezer became extremely generous, not only through charities but also specifically to the Cratchit’s (becoming like a second father to Tiny Tim, who got the treatment he needed to live). He began investing in his family and in friendship. He became known as someone who “knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge.” And you can to, every day of every year! Meet needs, especially the need of salvation-sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ wherever you go. 

God bless us, everyone! (and Merry Christmas!)

In Christ Alone,

Dan


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