Merry Christmas dear one!

That first Christmas in Bethlehem was THE FATHER’S GIFT OF LOVE to a sin-filled world.  We all know John 3:16 (NLT),

• 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.

God the Father gave…but I want to focus here on what JESUS GAVE.  Philippians 2:6-8 (NLT) says,

• Though He (Jesus) was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.  Instead, He gave up His divine priviledges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When He appeared in human form, He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

JESUS GAVE up His place in heaven as the Word of God to come to the earth as a servant.  The Bible is full of proof that He did nothing on His Own, but only that which pleased the Father.  Jesus said in John 5:30 (AMP),

• I am able to do nothing from Myself [independently of My Own accord – but only as I am taught by God as I get His orders].  Even as I hear I judge [I decide as I am bidden to decide.  As the voice comes to Me, so I give a decision] and My judgment is right (just, righteous) because I do not seek or consult My Own will [I have no desire to do what is pleasing to Myself, My Own aim, My Own purpose], but only the will and pleasure of the Father Who sent Me.

It was in this place of servanthood that JESUS offered Himself as the sacrifice for the world and it was here that He humbled Himself to become a servant to the entire human race.

Beginning with His disciples, JESUS laid down His life daily, watching over and protecting them, saving their lives and teaching them the Word of God. He was subjected to the same temptations as we are, so He is able to help to serve us when we are being tested by circumstances (see Hebrews 2:14-18).

JESUS set aside His position in heaven to become a slave so you and I who were once slaves to sin, could have a position in heaven.  He taught us that to be the greatest in God’s Kingdom, you must become a servant just like He did.  1 John 4:17 says,

• As He is, so are we in this world.

So what better gift can we give our families than to be their servants – to love and bless them and let them see JESUS in our every word and action?  Every day of our lives, and even more especially during this Christmas season, let us make a dicision to show people God’s love.  JESUS says that love is the key – it is His commandment.

Just as JESUS became a servant, we should do the same for others.  We are to be imitators of our Father as dear children.  Our attitude toward one another should be the same as His is toward all mankind.

Merry Christmas, JESUS.  I will do this for you.

Living to love,

Lisa Gordon

Jesus City Church