My favorite ballgame to watch is the one I know my team wins.  I love to watch movies that I know have a happy ending.  You may say, “Page where is the fun in that you already know the outcome.”  For me there is peace and security in knowing the ending is good.

God knew because we were human we would fail and need a redemption plan in order to have a happily ever after.  Our reading today shares God’s answer.

Titus 3:4-7:  “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,  he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

That may seem very deep to you, but what it is saying is that God knew sending Jesus was the only answer to our fallen state. We could never be good enough, religious enough, smart enough, wise enough. According to the Bible even our most righteous acts are dirty rags.  We needed someone who could pay for our wrongs since we could not do it ourselves. Because of what Jesus did through being born a human who lived a perfect life and giving himself to be crucified for our wrongs, we can be washed clean.  Not only that He sent a Helper, the Holy Spirit, that resides in the heart of all believers.

This Christmas season you will probably open one or many gifts, but none will compare with the gift God gave us through His Son Jesus.  That is why we celebrate!!  That is why His birth is such a big deal.  That is why Christmas is so much more than trees, lights, songs, sweets, and even family.  We use all of these things to remind us of the true Gift!

Stephanie Thompson from Louisville writes:

“I’ve been thinking tonight about the beginning of the advent season and the hope that it brings with it, this “settled certainty” that its already been done. I wanted to share this song because I think it says it so beautifully, the work of the Father, revealed in the Son….”