Christmas Is About Grace And Mercy

Christmas is a celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. No matter what the world has tried to make it, that is what it is. A celebration of God's incredible gift to us: His Son. As John 3:16 says, God so loved the world that He gave up His only Son so that whoever believes in Him will never have to die a spiritual death, but instead will have eternal life. Jesus was born in the flesh so that He could die in the flesh. That's the only way we could be saved from our sins.

What does this have to do with grace and mercy? Everything!

In our Christian faith, grace is the unmerited favor of God. Another way to define grace is an undeserved gift. When God sent His Son to live among us, we received an undeserved gift. God did not send Jesus because we deserved Him, or because we had earned such an incredible prize. God sent Jesus because He loves us. Our sins earned us death; God bestowed His grace, His unmerited favor, upon us in the form of His Son, our Savior.

Likewise, mercy is compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power and right to punish. Mercy is the withholding of deserved punishment. God, because of His love for us, chose not to punish us as we deserved. He has shown us compassion, and offered us forgiveness in the name of His Son. Jesus came to save us as an act of mercy on the part of God the Father.

To prepare for Christmas is to recognize the grace and mercy of our God. He is under no obligation to forgive us for our sins. Only because of His love, His mercy, His grace has He offered His Son in place of our punishment. Without Christ, there would be no forgiveness of sin. Without God's mercy and grace, there would be no Christ, no Christmas.

As we get ready for Christmas, we must remember grace and mercy. As God has given us unmerited favor, undeserved gifts, so should we be gracious towards those around us. We have not earned Christmas; it is God's gift to us. Maybe you know someone who has not earned your favor; give it to them anyway. Grace isn't about giving to someone what they deserve--that's justice. Grace is giving what isn't deserved. That's what God did for us.

Mercy is the other side of the coin. God has given us Christ to stand in our place of punishment. He has withheld the punishment we deserve that is within His power and right to deliver. Without mercy, there would be no Christmas. As you remember that, perhaps there is someone in your life, or perhaps you will encounter someone in the next few days, who doesn't deserve mercy. Just remember, you didn't deserve it either.

Grace is unmerited favor. Mercy is the withholding of deserved punishment. Christ is God's response to both. Christmas is our celebration of Christ. Therefore, Christmas is about grace and mercy.

Remember that as you get ready for Christmas this week.