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The Cost of Christmas

Although we don’t know the date that Jesus was born, December 25th is when we celebrate the event, where God came near in order to make salvation available.

In Matthew 1:21 an angel visited Joseph and told him, “[Mary] will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

Christmas is a big deal. Without it there would be no Calvary, no empty tomb, and no hope of heaven. It is great news for us. We have everything to gain because of Christmas. It is the celebration of the incarnation—where God put on flesh and made His dwelling among us. It is Immanuel—God with us.

Salvation is a free gift to us, but it cost Jesus tremendously. Think about the cost of Christmas, what Jesus gave up in order to come save His people from their sins.

 

He traded the comfort of angels for the company of animals

He traded the dignity of heaven for the drabness of earth

He traded splendor for squalor

 

He went from adore to abhor

He went from being served to being scorned

He went from celebration to castigation

 

The Illustrious was investigated

The Blessed was betrayed

The Distinguished was denied

The Transcendent was tortured

The King was condemned

The Author of Life laid it down

 

The Supreme in shackles

The Commended on a cross

The Terrific in a tomb

 

The One who knew no sin became sin for us. He disrobed from righteousness and dressed in wretchedness, so that we might disrobe from wretchedness and dress in righteousness.

 

He didn’t have to do any of it. He could have stayed put in heaven and let us lie in the bed we made.

 

He endured it all to make salvation available. He was born to save His people from their sins. If you have never been saved, receive the free Christmas gift offered to you. Jesus went to great expense for it. 

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