“God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world but to save the world through him.” John 3:17, NLT

I’m glad God is a perfect mixture of those famous biblical sisters, Martha and Mary. It gives me hope. I tend to lean a bit toward Martha and she gets a harsh look from most of the world. Mary is developing within me. Life has a way of helping us to see how to create more balance. Sickness, death, financial struggles and broken relationships are eye openers to the realization that being is just as important as doing.

We need Him to have that perfect combination. If He had only been a “Mary”, He might have loved us tremendously, felt great sorrow for the estate our souls, but would He have created a plan to lift us from our sinful lives?

His ability to stay focused on the plan while being filled with compassion over our eternal fate makes Him, well, perfect. These personality traits shine for me especially at Christmas.

For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Oh, the mystery of our faith, too great for our minds to comprehend…

Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith:
Christ was revealed in a human body…” 1 Timothy 3:16

The manger and the cross are woven together with the threads of God’s love.

“The Ancient of Days begins as a Babe in Bethlehem!
He who thunders in the heavens cries in a cradle!
He who made all flesh is now made of flesh!
The Mother is younger than the child she bears!
He who could summon legions of angels is wrapped in swaddling clothes!
The Mighty God is now a helpless infant!
The Everlasting Father becomes a child!
God and man become One Person!”
~Herbert Lockyer (edited by me)

Rejoice today as we celebrate the gift of our salvation. Our Savior came as a baby swaddled, knowing in burial cloth He would lay. He willingly gave His life with anticipation of the flinging off of those burial clothes on the third day. The gift of eternal life is ours!

Merry Christmas! May God’s favor overflow your cup in 2016.