December 22

I write to you that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ the righteous One. I John 2:1



If anything can make us sing "Joy to the World, the Lord has come," this should be the verse! The bay Jesus is wonderful, and we enjoy the familiar scene of a manager lighted by his presence. We almost sell the hay. We imagine the wonder of the shepherds as they saw him there, innocent and beautiful.



But if we step away from the manger for a minute, if we contemplate our own struggle to do the things we know are right and avoid those we know are wrong, the greatest picture we can imagine is of the grown-up, crucified, risen, and ascended Lord, the "one who speaks to the Father on our behalf" when we sin.



I think about this often. I try and try not to do the wrong things, not to think the wrong thoughts, not to judge another's actions, and then I goof! Sometimes badly! I tell my Father that I am sorry, and I can just imagine Jesus sitting next to him, listening to me once more confess how badly I have behaved, and I almost hear him say, "It's all right, Father. I died for that."



Now I can really sing, "Joy to the World"!



Thank you God for sending Jesus. Thank you Jesus that you came. Holy Spirit come and help us, glorify the Savior's name. Amen.