Good morning believers and Merry Christmas!

I want to encourage you because it may take a little effort but I want to ask you to make a decision this holiday season to truly celebrate our Lord for Who He is and what He has done for us. Without Christ Jesus, we would not have the experience of being saved, accepted, forgiven, loved, healed, delivered, righteous, or prosperous. HE HAS SET US FREE! Psalm 40:2-3 says,

• He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock and established my goings.  He has put a new song in my mouth – Praise to our God:  many shall see it and fear, and will trust in the LORD.

• I do not know about you, but I remember my life before I was saved. However, the LORD lifted me up out of my pit, and now, I have a new song I am singing. The birth and life of our Savior are only two of the reasons why we celebrate Christmas. Here are some other reasons why we celebrate God’s greatest gift to us:

1. Jesus laid down His life as the final eternal sacrifice for sin (see Hebrews 9:13-14).

2. Jesus sat down after purging our sins, signifying that the work of redemption was complete (see Hebrews 10:12).

3. Jesus extends salvation to everyone.  Through Christ, God wants to reconcile the world to Himself (see 2 Corinthians 5:18-19).

4. Jesus walked the earth as the personification of grace and truth and because of His sacrificial death, grace and truth reign! (See Romans 5:21).

5. Jesus’ eternal sacrifice freed us from the Law of sin and death forever, and whom the Son sets FREE is FREE INDEED! (See John 8:36).

6. Jesus gives us the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  We no longer have the desire to sin (see 2 Corinthians 3:18).

7. At the point of salvation, we become new creatures in Christ Jesus (see 2 Corinthians 5:17).

8. When we accept Jesus as Lord, we accept His wisdom, righteousness, redemption, and sanctification (see 1 Corinthians 1:30-31).

9. When we embrace His presence, our weaknesses are transformed into strength, our tears turn to joy, and our lack turns into abundance.

I am sure you have your own personal testimonies about what Jesus has done in your life. I encourage you to celebrate Him for all He has done for you! More importantly during this holiday season, make sure the light of Jesus’ love shines brightly through you so that the world will know that Jesus, the greatest gift ever, is worth celebrating!

I am so thankful for Jesus,

Lisa Gordon

Jesus City Church