CHRISTMAS DEVOTIONAL By Charlotte Paris

Guest Author is my sister, Charlotte The Prophecy: Isaiah 7:14; “The Lord himself with give you a sign.  A virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Emmanuel.” The Fulfillment: Matthew 1:22,23 “Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, behold a virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a son and they will call his name Jesus. The Love of God: John 3:16;  “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten SON. That whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.” 2020 has been a year of turmoil, confusion, of fear and stress. For the whole world! But right now, REDIRECT how you think. Shake yourself. The beacon of Christmas is on display for everyone in the world to see right now. The light and hope that you need is right in front of you!  LOOK AT IT!  It is Waving at you. Trying to get your attention.  Don’t miss it! Look unto Him and LIVE! JESUS SAID: “I am come that you might have LIFE and have it more abundantly.”  Are you living an abundant life? If not, you might be missing a crucial ingredient. Prophecy for-told that a Messiah, a Deliverer, would come one day and save his people. That He would come into the world as a baby, born to a virgin. He would live on this earth as a man so he could understand what mankind goes through. But his purpose was not just to understand us, he came to SAVE US!  To bridge the gap between a holy God and sinful man.  Only a perfect sacrifice was good enough to do that. Only Jesus was perfect!   Because he was God in the flesh, only He could PAY THE PRICE and set us free from our GREATEST BURDEN:  SIN!  Sin separates us from God, and we needed God! So let’s get real ... on this Christmas why do we even need this baby, say nothing of ADORE him?   And what does that have to do with the stress of 2020 anyway! WELL, as it turns out, A LOT! We don’t adore him because he was a cute, chubby baby, or because the manger scene is such a charming tradition with the animals in the stable and that star above it. So, I’ll just tell you The reason I adore him.  It is because HE PAID MY DEBT in my place. He died for Me! He forgave my sins. He made me right with God. I was in bondage and He broke those chains off me.  He made it possible for me to go directly to God in prayer for ALL my needs.  He washed me clean and removed my shame. He healed my wounds. He took the pain out of my scars and turned them into trophies of His goodness. He met my needs when I did not deserve it. He smiled at me and lifted me up when I felt worthless and ashamed. He made me worthy. Now before God there are No barriers, no hinderances, no chains of guilt or fear or dread, no shame.  That debt has been paid!  Jesus paid it all when he gave his life on the cross in my place. He paid MY DEBT! He took my place!!  He said he would never leave me or forsake me. I will never be abandoned. HE LOVES ME! I want you to know that He offers this forgiveness “for free” to anyone who will accept it. Just receive it. It is the best gift ever! …And THAT is why I ADORE HIM!!! And That is the Hope needed for 2021!