Joy in the Sacrifice

Colorado Springs, Colorado

DISCLAIMER: I have nothing against Santa Claus. One of my fondest childhood memories was one of our Christmas Eve celebrations at my grandparents. We waited outside the house looking for Santa to fly by in his sleigh. When my grandparents opened the house we saw that Santa had already been there and he had left a Lionel train.

But what I also remember about that night was spending time at Grace Lutheran Church telling and hearing the story of Jesus' birth. There is a difference between the story of Santa Claus and the truth of Jesus Christ. The gifts that Santa brings require no sacrifice. The gift Jesus brings is his sacrifice. Santa makes us feel happy for a moment. Jesus brings joy that lasts for eternity.

"...but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  Romans 5:8 English Standard Version

Santa didn't die for anyone. Christ has died for the world. The gifts placed under our trees are expressions of love and a tradition worth holding on to, but they will grow old, break and lose their attraction. The gift that Jesus brings will never fade. It will never break. It will never lose its appeal.

Why? Because his gift is born of sacrifice.

There is joy in the sacrifice of Christ.

Join the conversation on our Facebook group: Praying With the Eyes

You can listen to the Praying With the Eyes broadcast at the ib network on Sundays at 8:00 am, 11:30 am, 1:00 pm and 8:30 pm MST (www.ibnetwork.us). You can also listen to the show on the ib network on Tunin Radio.  

(Click on picture to enlarge.)

Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR.