One of my favorite scriptures surrounding the Christmas story is Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased to dwell.” This worshipful pronouncement from the angelic messengers declares the Gospel in a nutshell. The story of Christmas is the message of the Gospel. Jesus came because mankind is sinful and Jesus’ work brought glory to God in the highest. Christmas is about the presence of Jesus which glorifies God and brings peace to man.

Luke 2:14 should not be reserved only for the Christmas story. It should be an anthem of our lives on a daily basis. No matter how put together we may try to be, we desperately need God. One of the most practical truths I have ever heard was when a former pastor shared with me that “everyone is broken, just in different ways.” It’s amazing to me how many Christians “come to God” and then pretend like they have become some sort of standard by which others must be judged. This is as far from the Gospel as one could possibly get. We are all broken. My brokenness may look different than yours and yours may look different than the beggar on the street but all brokenness needs mending. Our brokenness is in need of peace with God and this is just what Jesus accomplished.

The mending work of Jesus brought glory to God because only God could provide the answer to our extreme brokenness. Jesus lived his life for an audience of one. He was not a people pleaser, he was a Father pleaser. Jesus was fully surrendered to the will of God and thus you and I have peace with God today. The presence of Jesus has eternally altered the reality of all who would call on His name.

It is my desire this Christmas to focus more on the presence of Jesus than any presents that might be shared. The presence of Jesus is the only gift that can make you and I more faithful in 2019. The presence of Jesus has brought us peace with God, therefore may we determine to live our lives only for the glory of God.

In Him,

Matt