For the balance of this Christmas season, we are going to work our way through a series called Christmas Aftershocks. This series will keep our focus on Jesus, not just for Christmas Day or even the weeks leading up to Christmas, but on into the rest of the coming year an on through our lives. There is so much more to Jesus than being born in a stable. I hope you enjoy this series and that it helps you to grow in your relationship with Jesus and keep your focus on Him now and throughout your lifetime.
Bible Reading: Romans 5:16 & 17
Last year at Christmastime I posted a series based on the song, “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” It explained the spiritual symbolism behind each verse of that song.
This year, I have another “Twelve Days of Christmas” gift for you. This one has a bit of a twist. It will focus on ongoing reverberations in our lives, the “aftershocks,” if you will, that result from Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection. These aftershocks are all of the good things that God gives to those who follow Jesus. They are the things that help us to receive God’s best for our lives. Let’s start with the best first.
Before we can receive and experience the many positive aftershocks of Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection, we must first accept His gift of salvation. Romans 5:17 says, “For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.” God’s gift of salvation from and forgiveness for sins through faith in Jesus Christ is available to everyone who are willing to receive it.
Salvation is a precious gift. It is only when we confess our sins and accept Jesus’ death as the punishment for our sins and His resurrection as the door to a new life that we are prepared to experience the amazing aftershocks that follow.
Are you prepared for the next eleven days and the aftershocks of salvation that we will explore?
More importantly, have you accepted Jesus and prepared yourself to experience the best aftershocks God has to offer? If not, give yourself a gift this Christmas and accept God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for my salvation through faith in Jesus. Prepare me for all of the good “aftershocks” to come. In Jesus’ name. Amen.