Pearls of Great Value

But when [in God’s plan] the proper time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the [regulations of the] Law, so that He might redeem and liberate those who were under the Law, that we [who believe] might be adopted as sons [as God’s children with all rights as fully grown members of a family]. And because you [really] are [His] sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba! Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave (bond-servant), but a son; and if a son, then also an heir through [the gracious act of] God [through Christ].” Galatians‬ ‭4:4-7‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Jesus. The greatest gift ever given. The greatest story ever told. The greatest joy ever received. The birth of Jesus is the most important thing that has ever happened, it has marked history. God sent his own son, gave the gift of his own son to redeem me and you. For He so loved the world that he gave! He SO loved you that he gave his son Jesus and if you believe in him you shall be saved!

The joy of this season isn’t just that the son of God was born. Yes, that alone is more than enough reason to celebrate. Yet there is more, so much more reason to celebrate Christmas! If we never rejoice in anything else, this one gift, the gift of Jesus should make us burst out in song and praise continually. One might ask why? Why is Jesus the greatest gift ever given?

Let me tell you a story. One day, a son from the most royal family ever known was sent by his father to a foreign place. This son was very dear to His father, he was in fact the most beloved son. Where did the Father send him? He was sent to a prison. This prison was full to capacity with every possible criminal in every stage of crime you could think of. From the vilest murderer to the mere thief, they were all there. This prison also had a long list of people who were imprisoned by the darkness in the world, by anger, by sickness and disease, by bitterness, by curses, by anxiety and depression, by past hurts, and so the list went on. It was a dreary place, this prison, and it was here that this most precious son was sent.

One might ask the question of why the most beloved son was sent to such a place? Well, the people who were in that prison were all loved by the Father. His compassionate heart couldn’t bear to see and watch the pain and death that they were suffering. Yes, they had all fallen short and none could say that they weren’t guilty. Yet the Fathers heart was not against them. He had a plan to save every single one, but it would come with a great cost.

The son was sent and being obedient to his Fathers desire, he went. He arrived at this prison with a humbleness that surpassed understanding, but he also arrived with an authority that astounded many. He came and announced freedom. Then, he took on a burden which to this day is still hard for man to grasp, taking all of the penalties upon himself. He paid the price for every single wrong, exchanging his life for those that were held in chains. He literally took captivity captive and gave the gift of freedom to every single soul in that prison. Some chose to accept it, but sadly some did not.

Yes, the price for freedom was great. It cost the son his very life. This story seems sad, doesn’t it? It was sad! It was heartbreaking! But it doesn’t end here. The Fathers love for his son was exceedingly great and powerful. So powerful that it raised the son from the dead and thereby defeating also the sting of death, gaining victory over it. The son arose and having done what he was sent to do, went back to his Fathers house.

But wait, don’t leave yet! The story gets better.  The son left a gift behind for all those that had accepted the gift of freedom. See, he not only set the captives free from prison, he also gave them a place to go to. And it wasn’t some run down shack out in the sticks. No. He gave them a royal robe and ring and said, “Come to my house, you can have my seat at the table and anything you ask for? Just ask it in my name and you can have whatsoever you have asked for.”

See, this is the story of Christmas! It’s the story of redemption and of hope. The story of freedom. The story of adoption. The story of amazing love. This, this is the greatest gift!

May we never forget the price paid to provide for our freedom. May we remember and celebrate it! It is worth celebrating! Yes, Jesus is worth all of our adoration and praise. With hands lifted high, in a posture of asking and receiving, we submit our hearts. Thank you, Jesus!

We often forget that through Jesus we were given much more than salvation. God sent his son that by him, we too could become sons and daughters of God. Galatians 4:6 is one of the most beautiful verses in the Bible: “And because you [really] are [His] sons, God has sent the [Holy] Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, Abba (Father)! Father!”

Adoption. You know what the amazing truth is about adoption? You are chosen. God looks you right in the eye and says, “This one! I chose this one for my family.” The spirit of adoption doesn’t let you forget that you were sought after, you were chosen, you are beloved and because you are loved also very blessed. You really are His son. You really are His daughter. And because you are, God released the spirit of His son into your life. You know what that means? It means that when you pray, God hears the voice of Jesus. When you come and ask, the spirit of sonship inside goes to intercede for you. It’s like this. You pray and ask. Jesus hears. Jesus goes to the Father and says, “Papa, he needs help.” The Father says, “Yes, I will help! This is my son, this is my daughter whom I love very much!”

Abba Father, thank you for this season in which we can celebrate the gift of Jesus. Thank you for sending your precious son to save us. Rain upon us a fresh awareness of how great your love is! Let it penetrate our hearts and may it burst through, obliterating every shadow of darkness. Remind us Holy Spirit that Christmas is not just one day out of the year, but it’s a season we continually live in   and the greatest gift we can give to others is always the good news of Jesus. He is the light that came into our world! Remind us Lord that Jesus is an everlasting light still today, one that shines through and destroys the present darkness. In him is life and light and because we are now adopted into Jesus, we also have this light and life. That is such good news! Thank you, Thank you! I’m forever grateful Abba that you took on humanity, flesh and blood, stepping into our world to save us; you came so that we may have life abundantly. I declare that my life will be a witness to You and your goodness! In the precious name of Jesus, amen.

“Life came into being because of him, for his life is light for all humanity. And this Living Expression is the Light that bursts through gloom— the Light that darkness could not diminish!” John‬ ‭1:4-5‬ ‭

When we’ve been there ten thousand years

Bright shining as the sun

We’ve no less days to sing Gods praise

Then when we’ve first begun!