“But to all who did receive him, who believed on his name, he gave the right to become the children of God.” – John 1:12
The impact of Christmas is both cosmic, and personal. Jesus was born for all of creation, and he was born for me and for you. In this holy child, God was beginning the greatest work of redemption and healing. This One, the divine Christmas Gift, was born to transform all God made, releasing it from the power of evil and darkness, and restoring it to its original design. But that is just half of the story.
Jesus was also born to make a way for a profoundly personal relationship with God. The Almighty, the Creator, desired something more. From the very beginning, humanity was created for a relationship with God now, through Jesus, the invitation was to become part of God’s family. The relationship God desired was one of great intimacy.
The Gospel of John says that, through Jesus, we have the right to become children of God. If we receive him, if we believe on the name of Jesus, we receive the right to become, not be called, become the children of God. The Apostle Paul would later echo these words in his letter to the Galatians, “For in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.” (Galatians 3:26 NIV)
Every so often I will hear someone say something like, “Everyone you meet is a child of God.” This is a lovely sentiment, but it is not true. Everyone we meet is created in the image of God, and is of infinite worth. Everyone we meet should be shown the great love that God has for them. Everyone we meet should be treated with the profound sacred worth God ascribes to them. However, not everyone we meet is a child of God. There are conditions on that relationship.
The potential to be a child of God is extended to everyone through Jesus Christ, but accepting that invitation involves receiving Christ and believing on his name by faith. Simply put, we need to accept the gift that God offers in his Son. Through faith in Jesus, we are adopted as sons and daughters in the family of God.
As an adoptive father, this act of God has a special place in my heart. I vividly remember the day we sat before the judge and declared our desire to become the parents of these precious children. I also remember the moment when the judge asked each of the children if they wanted to have us for parents. I cannot begin to describe the lump in my throat as I waited to hear their response. It was only a brief pause, but in it, I became aware that there was a possibility they could say no. They would still be wonderful children if they made that decision, but they would not be my children.
The same question waits for each of us to answer. We have the freedom to respond to God’s invitation in Jesus with , “Yes,” or a “No,” and just like that moment in the judge’s chambers, any answer other than “Yes” is a “No.” God never forces us to accept Jesus; to believe on his name. It is a choice offered in love, and God eagerly awaits our decision.
The Scripture says that God, “chose us in him [Jesus] before the foundation of the world to be adopted as his children.” (Ephesians 1:4) It is the eternal desire of God that we would accept his invitation and become the children of God. It is the grand question of Christmas, and of life. The question is before us. Will we say “Yes” and accept the relationship we are destined for?
