Merry CHRISTmas!!!

God sent His Son to us. God incarnate. Jesus was 100% man and 100% God. Jesus truly was Emmanuel: "God with us." The advent sermons where I have been attending here in Hutch have been based on this passage:

"For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace."
Isaiah 9:6 (NASB)

For those, who like me, are fans of Handel's Messiah, this verse immediately brings to mind a particular tune. But, stop......think.....reread those words by the prophet Isaiah. Who was He? Who is He?

Several years ago, while I was in high school youth group, our youth pastor asked us to think about what the best gift we had ever received was. He gave a few minutes to think about it. Then, when he asked us to share what that gift was with the group, I squirmed a bit in my chair (silly thing was too big for me...yes, I am that short), so he looked at me and told me to go first. I simply said, "The best gift I have ever received was forgiveness." Referring to the gift Jesus gave me when He came to earth, lived as a man, taught His disciples, was killed, rose again!, and now is in heaven preparing a place in heaven for all who truly believe in and live for Him.

What was the best gift you ever received? Did you give anything in return? I cannot repay the debt of love I owe, but I have given what I could: my whole self. Even with all my failings, that is exactly what God wants in return.
What hope, joy, peace, and love we can experience from truly knowing Him!!