Christmas is all about God’s sovereignty, as we discussed in my previous article. Also, Christmas is about God’s mercy. 

There are three things we discover about that, and which we will elaborate on in the following lines. 

 

Jesus, the Face of God’s Mercy

 

Throughout the Old Testament, Jesus Christ was at the center of the whole story.

The only way God would have come to the redemption of humankind was by putting on flesh and dwelling among us (see John 1).

That took place with the coming of Jesus into the world. Knowing that he didn’t like descend from heaven, or appear, he would be born as the prophets foretold in the Old Testament. 

Jesus came to live among us as a human being. He was born like you and me. He had parents, family, and friends, just as we all do today. 

Through Jesus, humans can see God! 

We don’t only see God, but God’s hospitality, welcoming, and generosity. 

We now can all become members of God’s households. And, anyone can join God’s family, and we do it from anywhere around the world. 

All are welcome to become children of God, brothers, and sisters of Jesus Christ!

God showed us what radical generosity means. He gave up his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. 

Remember that Christmas, even though it portrays the beginning of God’s Son’s life. It already pointed out to the ultimate mission: to save the world.

God had already given a name and mission to his Son. 

Here’s how Jesus showed God’s mercy, and which is central to what Christmas should all be about: 

• • • Jesus loved all, and still loves us all today. 
    • Jesus befriended prostitutes, corrupted leaders, the poor, the rich, all people with whom no one else wanted to hang out. 
    • Jesus defended the powerless. 
    • Jesus called people from all places in life to follow and serve him. 

 

We Are Undeserving Recipients of God’s Grace

 

It is sometimes easier to think that we have come so far in life only because of our accomplishments. 

At the same time, God wants us to acknowledge Him in every single thing we do or are. 

Imagine you can’t breathe, move, see, or hear. How much of what you do will you be able to accomplish? 

Yeah. That’s what makes you and me undeserving recipients of everything we think we’ve accumulated over the years. 

The story of David is one that can help us understand God’s grace. On your own, I’d encourage you to read about king David (1 Samuel 16; 18:1 through 22:2, and selected Psalms). 

God referred to David as a man after God’s heart. This man, in spite of his life’s mistakes, had qualities we can all learn from, and which humble us under God: 

• • • Humility. 
    • The reverence of God. 
    • Reliance on God’s mercy. 
    • Trust in God. 
    • Love of God. 
    • Faithfulness to God’s word. 
    • Obedience to what God says. 
    • A repentant spirit. 

 

We Are Undeserving Recipients of God’s Grace so that We Share God’s Mercy with Others 

 

God’s grace is about: hospitality, welcoming, and generosity. 

Jesus, as I stated earlier, is the only way God has used to show us God’s grace. 

Now, Jesus, the reason we celebrate Christmas, wants us all to show hospitality, welcoming, and generosity with the ultimate goal of leading people back to God. 

Study more from my book, “What Christmas Is All About.”