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EN(dur)ANCE by Robin Gudal

Jesus was not born to stay in the manger. He was born to go to the cross.

“Jesus is more than a baby, more than a beautiful miracle in a harsh world. He is more than a familiar figure sung about in festive tunes. Jesus is God with us — Immanuel. Christmas and the anticipation of Jesus Christ, our Messiah, is precious only to the degree that we are desperate to find freedom from what ails us. He is the answer we have been longing for. He fulfilled the promise so that we might be restored and reconciled to our creator God. When we prepare him room at Christmas, we make room for a lifetime in His presence…

Without the cross, the baby in the manger is but novel and fascinating, not life-changing. He wants our hearts every day of every year. He wants us to be transformed. When we receive Christ, we invite the work of the Gospel to transform our lives. It is his love letter to us.” — “Emmanual: A 25-day Christmas Journal” by Ruth Chou Simons.

“All that man can know of God and his love in this life is revealed in Jesus Christ.” — A.W. Tozer

As a young girl I remember a beautifully wrapped gift under our tree. I knew it would be something amazing, and as more time went along, its contents grew in my mind. Then curiosity got me and, without my mom knowing, I opened the gift. I was extremely disappointed to say the least.

It was a red leather billfold! I would love that today but as a teenager this “mom” gift was not appreciated. Then I had to act surprised and thankful when I opened it a second time. I can still smell that leather when I reminisce back.

Likely it was expensive and something my mom thought I would appreciate for years to come. I did not value her thoughtfulness and the love wrapped up in the gift.

If you have not received the humble gift of Jesus’ redeeming, grace-filled, life-changing forgiveness, I pray you unwrap that gift today. It does not disappoint.

If you, like me, have received that and yet daily fail, let us embrace his gift again today.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” — Ephesians 2:8, NIV

Wishing you a merry and renewed CHRISTmas as we also remember his resurrection, a sacrificial gift given for all of us!

Robin (Beckman) Gudal is intentional in life, a wife, momma, nana, friend and a flawed and imperfect follower of Jesus.