Redemption’s Price by ems 12/22/21
26th Day of Advent
Week 4: Love (or adoration) ~ Light 3 purple candles and 1 pink candle
Advent Hymn 🎼 C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S 🎶
In 1949 Songwriters Eddy Arnold and Jenny Lou Carson teamed up to write this sweet song perfect for teaching children the true meaning of Christmas. It tells us that Jesus is called the Christ Child and our Redeemer, reminding us that our God is relational and personal. Eddy Arnold was known as the Tennessee plowboy and his guitar.
When I was but a youngster, Christmas meant one thing,
That I’d be getting lots of toys that day.
I learned a whole lot diff-rent when Mother sat me down
And taught me to spell Christmas this way:
“C” is for the Christ Child
Born upon this day
“H” is for herald angels in the night
“R” means our Redeemer
“I” means Israel
“S” is for the star that shone so bright
“T” is for the three wise men
They who traveled far
“M” is for the manger where He lay
“A” is for all He stands for
“S” means shepherds came
And that’s why there’s a Christmas Day
“T” is for the three wise men
They who traveled far
“M” is for the manger where He lay
“A” is for all He stands for
“S” means shepherds came
And that’s why there’s a Christmas Day (a Christmas Day)
And that’s why there’s a Christmas Day
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Redemption’s Price by ems 12/22/21
We are twice God’s own possession: once because He made us and secondly because He paid the total price to redeem us out of the slavery of sin.
God redeemed Israel from 400 years of back-breaking slavery in Egypt. They cried out to God for a deliverer, and He answered.
We, too, can be freed from bondage when we remember and respond to God’s way of escape. God prepared everything necessary for this grace-filled plan. Romans tells us:
1Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. 6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. ~ Romans 5: 1-6
Sin separates and makes us enemies of God. Sin also has a penalty: death. Yet, God in His mercy allowed us to become reconciled to Him through Jesus, who willingly and blamelessly went to the cross on our behalf.
Everyone needs redemption. The true story of Jesus’ birth gives us the privilege of unbroken fellowship with God our maker. God demonstrated His love for us as He drew together angels, shepherds, and wise men to proclaim this fantastic event.
We may face suffering and difficulties in this life, but God builds character in us, producing endurance and giving us hope. Therefore, we must look beyond material blessings, which fade with time, to the everlasting spiritual blessings we have because of Christ in Christmas!
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I am profoundly grateful for the gift of Your Son. Because of Him, I can know and enjoy You forever. Thank You for the life-changing reminder that You gave Your very best so we can be heaven blessed with an enduring relationship with You. Thank You for redeeming me out of the entanglements of my sinful choices and giving me a restored life and purpose in You. Thank You for Christ, my Redeemer!
Gleanings From Heaven's Gate 