As write this, Christmas is two weeks away and I’m looking at my bare (fake) Christmas tree. I did manage to put out my manger scenes and that truly puts everything else in perspective. The other morning I come across a chapter in my bible that we don’t normally connect with Christmas. But as I was sitting meditating on the passage the Holy Spirit let me see a beautiful connection.
“For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.” Romans 5:15
It’s as if Paul goes out of his way, explaining repeatedly the glorious gift of our Savior! He makes it clear that man was lost, hopeless and helpless because of the sin of Adam. Becoming enemies with God! That one act of disobedience affected humanity in the most disfiguring way. A plight that God never intended for any of His creation. Yet, because of our Creator’s compassion, He gave the only One who would reverse the doom.
The Berean study bible adds further depth to these truths. (and the gift that came by the grace)…
This reiterates the concept of “charisma,” emphasizing that the gift of salvation is a result of God’s grace, not human effort. The grace of God is the source of this gift, highlighting the divine initiative in the plan of salvation. It is a reminder that salvation is a work of God from start to finish, underscoring the doctrine of sola gratia, or grace alone.
I think that J. Sidlow Baxter has summed up this Gift so well. “What food is to the starving, what water is to the thirsting, what liberation is to the slave, what riches are to the poverty-stricken, what release is to the prisoner, what healing is to the diseased and dying, all that and much more is Christ Jesus.”
This is a gift that carries infinite glory! Language no matter how eloquent still comes short. That baby in the manger becomes the Man on the Cross! The grace of God becomes the gift of God!
Jesus is the reason for the season as we say. But let us never lose the weight of its meaning! In our hearts let’s pause and feel it’s depth. In our conversations let’s speak of it’s value. We are indebted to so great a gift.
