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?

The post Children of God – A Christmas Invitation appeared first on Thinking Faith Cafe.

We all like to have our lives in order, especially before major events, yet we are all too familiar with the reality that it usually doesn’t work that way. Often life refuses to cooperate with our agendas, and even when we think we are prepared, we are not as ready as we thought we were. I regularly hear people talking about being ready for marriage or for starting a family, and my first thought is, “Who is ever fully ready for what those decisions mean?”

We prepare and plan, as well we should, but part of life involves jumping in and working it out as we go. Jesus, speaking in Luke 14:28 says, “If one of you wanted to build a tower, wouldn’t you first sit down and calculate the cost, to determine whether you have enough money to complete it?” (CEB) His point is clear, before you take an important step in life, physically or spiritually, you should do all that you can to be sure you are ready. But what about the times where you can’t prepare; when there is nothing more you can do to be ready? What about those occasions where there is no time to prepare? That is where you put your trust in God and take a leap of faith.

Tonight, we will celebrate the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem; a journey of physical and spiritual distance. These two young people responded to the call of God far before they were prepared, but God was able to make them ready. They said, “Yes,” and dove the deep end of a pool with no way to see the bottom. There was simply no way for them to fully envision where their decision to agree with God would take them. They could only put their faith in the One who called them.

When God calls us, inviting us to join in exciting, redemptive work of Jesus, we are not prepared, but God will prepare and equip those who respond to the call. We will not know all that is before us on the journey, but we will know the One who goes before us to lead the way, behind us to protect us, and with us to enjoy the path together.

God doesn’t need what we have, God wants to have us. Please notice the difference. God doesn’t need our things, our skills, and our talents, for they are gifts of God to us. God desires our heart, our communion, our “Yes.” From there, all things are possible, and the joy for the journey is already ours because Joy is our companion and strength.

Wherever you are on your own journey to Bethlehem today, remember that God is bringing you to your Christmas Day. Ready or not, it is coming, and when it does there will be all the reason in the world to rejoice!

Happy Christmas Eve!

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