Welcome to Hank’s Place —
We are in the Advent season. Originally it was a time of prayer, fasting and repentance during the 40 days before the feast of the Epiphany, held in January, commemorating the first manifestation of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, represented by the Magi, and the manifestation of His divinity, as it occurred at His baptism in the Jordan River and at His first miracle, at Cana in Galilee.
Centuries later it became associated with the time leading up to Christmas. We celebrate Advent today as a season of expectant waiting and preparation for both the celebration of the Birth of Christ at Christmas and the return of Christ at His Second Coming.
Oh, and the buying, giving and receiving Christmas presents. Hmmm. I could use a hammer drill…. Oh, wait –
Let’s get back to God’s greatest gift: Jesus. Something you may not realize is that because God so loved the world, Jesus bore every sin of every person that has ever or will ever live in the world. Jesus died upon the Cross that everyone could be saved – for salvation is offered to whosoever believes. Believes upon the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a matter of each person believing and receiving God’s gift, hallelujah!
This Advent look for opportunities where you might share news of this great gift, this Good News, this Gospel, with others. You might begin by saying you have a startling announcement to make! Then plunge into the Good News that God holds nothing against your audience, or anyone, and that ALL may freely come to His throne of grace – to receive grace. This is Good News for the Jew and Gentile alike. Not everyone is saved, but everyone CAN be saved because Jesus has broken the prison of sin.
Tell them forgiveness is not a reward to strive for, but a gift that has been given and in Christ they will have it.
Unconditional love and forgiveness are the two great pillars of the gospel of grace. “God loves you! God holds nothing against you!” This message offends those who think we must do things like confess sins to earn forgiveness. But that’s not faith. Faith is receiving the gift that has been given. Faith is thanking Jesus who carried all our sin.
So, my dear friend, this Advent season, may your faith arise concerning this greatest of all gifts — and may you share the Good News with others — a gift that will cause them to COME ALIVE!
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