“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” –Romans 5:8 NKJV
“For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
–Matthew 9:12c NKJV
Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday of the year – but not because of presents or because I was born on December 23rd. Not because of snow on the ground, or drinking hot chocolate, or listening to Christmas music.
It’s because Christmas is a reminder that I don’t have to be good enough for God.
Last year at our church’s Christmas Eve service, someone sang a song called O Come All Ye Unfaithful. I’d never heard the song before, but as soon as the song was finished it had become one of my favorite songs – both for the Christmas season and throughout the year.
The lyrics cover a variety of situations, and they’re applicable to every person on the planet. Are you “weak and unstable”? Then “Come, know you are not alone.” Are you “bitter and broken… with fears unspoken”? “Come, taste of His perfect love.”
“He’s the Lamb who was given
Slain for our pardon
His promise is peace
For those who believe
He’s the Lamb who was given
Slain for our pardon
His promise is peace
For those who believe
So come, though you have nothing
Come, He is the offering
Come, see what your God has done”
The Creator of the universe came down as a baby to be a sacrifice for people who would be born hating Him, lie, cheat, and steal from others, and mistrust and question Him. But the God of the universe loved us enough to die for us anyway – and to make us pure and spotless by His death.
I don’t have to earn God’s love for me, and His love won’t ever be taken away because of what I do or how I react to a situation. He didn’t wait until I was good enough to come down to Earth or die on the Cross – He did that before I was even born, before I knew Him, before I loved Him.
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” – Romans 8:31-32 NKJV
This Christmas, remember what Jesus did for you by coming down to Earth and later dying for you. Listen to this beautiful song, and remind yourself that you don’t have to be good enough for Him – because He already loved you when you were at your worst. Come to Him with all your shortcomings and sins, rest in His forgiveness and peace, and “see what your God has done.”
Hey there! I’m Shiloh, a teenage Virginian girl with a passion for writing, Jesus Christ, and coffee. Christian living, books, and great music are what I most love to write about. I’m notorious for finding ways to slip jokes into my writing — even in thesis papers — so prepare yourself for lots of spontaneous humor.
Besides my love for the power of words, I also enjoy reading, baking, listening to music, good movies — and by good I mean sad —, going to church, and playing guitar! You can usually find me searching for ice cream in the fridge, listening to my favorite NF songs, wearing my comfiest pair of hoodie and jeans, and constantly attempting to get my parents to take me to Chick-fil-A. Don't forget to check out my blog!
Oh Shiloh, I love this so much. <3 Beautiful words!