Merry Christmas, My Dear Friends,
A few nights ago, Tyra and I recalled a Christmas memory from years back when Joshua was really young. We arranged for him to receive a video from Santa Claus which was addressed exclusively to Josh himself. Santa would then turn to a large computer, put in Joshua’s name, and the computer would point a needle on a screen to reveal whether he had been naughty or nice throughout the year. It seemed like a good way to catch the attention of a four-year-old.
Sadly, there are adults today who have never moved beyond viewing Christmas through the lens of what they have done wrong across the last year. However, the lens through which God views Christmas is decidedly different, for the message of Christmas is simply this: that God sent his Son into the world in order that you could become God’s child. God sent his Son so that you could become, not simply forgiven, but his child. What kind of child? An adult child who has been forgiven and accepted, regardless of what you’ve done. Now you’re at the intimate level with God where you can call him, “Abba. Father.”
The French poet who penned the words to the song we call, “O Holy Night” got it right when he wrote, “Long lay the world in sin and error pining, ’till he appeared” — and we’ve sung this next line a thousand times. But maybe this year, for the first time, the true significance will dawn on you. “And the soul felt its worth.” And the soul felt its worth. Abba. Father. Daddy.
Now, I don’t know what you think you are worth to God. I don’t know how you view God. I don’t know how you pray. You may say, “God, you know what I did last weekend, so I’ll go to church the next three Sundays.” “God, I used some profanity, so I’m going to pray extra-long this time.” If you’re still bartering with God, did you know that’s not what Christmas is about? God has invited you into something far more powerful. It’s as if God is saying, “Look, we’re done with that. You don’t have to come to me that way. You are my child, and I am your Abba Father. That is the foundation of our relationship.”
Do you want to know what you’re worth to God? You’re worth Christmas. Christmas is about God sending his Son so that we could become his children. Here’s what you’re worth to God: you’re worth Christmas. That’s amazing, isn’t it? If that ever gets from your head to your heart, it will change your life in every positive sense of the word. It will change the way you view yourself. And it will change your sense of worth. Because do you know what you’re worth?
You’re worth Christmas.
Bruce Jones, Pastor
Imagine Church
