A friend sent this poem/prayer this week (Author Unknown, slightly edited):
“Long after the angels disappear into the heavens, the shepherds return to their flocks, the magi journey home, and the great star sets, JESUS remains.
The Child in whom we rediscover God’s great love for us becomes the Adult REDEEMER.
May we allow the miracle of Christmas to continue long after the holiday trappings have been packed away.”
The part that grabbed my attention—JESUS remains. 2000 years ago, He came to earth in human form to live a perfect life and become our Savior. He carried our sins to the cross, was buried and rose again from the dead. “Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.” (Heb. 7:25 NIV) Jesus remains.
There is such amazing generosity in the gospel! “Though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you by His poverty might become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9 ESV) The King of the Universe “emptied Himself…being born in the likeness of men…He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:6-8 ESV)
And this is the miracle of Christmas—that God loved the world so much, He gave His Son to be a redeeming sacrifice for us. That’s why we give gifts at Christmas. Because we are commemorating God’s indescribable gift of His Son!
This year, I want to hold this truth close at heart, even after packing away the Christmas décor. Because I don’t want my heart, my life to only look like Jesus lives at Christmas time! Jesus remains.
And I know that no matter what this New Year brings, I can rejoice in this truth: Jesus remains!