Celebrating Grace

Dear Readers and Subscribers around the World,

Merry Christmas to you!

This year let us celebrate the grace of God as we celebrate Christmas with the ways we deem fit for the Savior.

I understand that some of us can’t make it home for Christmas, in the hospital or in work related trip, and for some it really doesn’t matter making it home.

While it is a festival of joy, some of us are reminded of the good times we had spent with our dear ones. So, some will celebrate with silent tears in the corner, or with choked chest somewhere in the day. However, it is the day that marked the abiding presence of God with us in his grace.

(Flower in the Picture: In the countryside where I grew up, we simply called it as “Christmas Flower”, or “Khristmas Paak” in my native language. It is because the flower blooms in the winter or as Christmas is nigh. It is a wild flower, which blooms even in dry season. I can recall playing with my friends beneath and above them with our shawls hanging on our shoulders.)

What is Grace?
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Now, grace is undeserved love from God, which can’t be earned. Grace is not karma; we are not rewarded nor judge according to our good or bad deeds. The birth of Jesus Christ aggrandizes, ennoble or upgrade our existence.

Grace is one of the essences of Christmas. The name Immanuel – God with us, in Hebrew, signify the abiding presence of God in our life. He is being with us, not directing nor sympathizing us from afar.

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14) Here, the flesh mentioned is Jesus Christ, the son of God.

Not only in word He dwelled with us but he came in flesh. In the flesh, like us, bearing all our sin to the Cross; so that we attain salvation in his grace.

It is interesting to see passage being related in the Bibles. The verses in letter to Titus seems fittingly described the message of Christmas. Let’s read: Titus 2:11

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people.”
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The birth of Christ changes everything; it brings blessed hope to some or downtrodden, utter disdain for some sections, a concern for their soul although in any way they accepted. But as for me, he is the God who is with us in his abiding grace.

This salvation is for all nations. (Psalms 67:2) (In his grace, and to those who acknowledge his sovereignty,) the LORD God is a sun and a shield; the LORD gives grace and glory; He withholds no good thing from those who walk with integrity. (Psalms 84:11 my emphasis included)

As I’m about to sign off for today, let us read some more verses for your consideration. (Verses 2-14)

12) It (the Gospel of Christ) trains us to reject ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age, 13) while we wait for the blessed hope, that is, the glorious appearance of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 14) He gave himself for us, to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people who are his own chosen people, eager to do good works.

Celebrate, Oh my Soul
Celebrate the Grace of God.
In the manger they laid;
Salvation for mankind his task!

You came for me to live,
Unworthy yet saved by grace.
Bearing our sufferings in flesh;
With us forever on this earth,
Holding me forevermore!