“For God so loved the world, that God gave God’s only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in may not perish, but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” John 3:16-17

We have made it. It is Christmas morning. Jesus has come. Even as adults, we enjoy the presentation of gifts, the opening of gifts, and the joy of unexpected gifts. But we also enjoy the return of friends and family — all together once again. Perhaps this is the joy G-d experienced when Jesus, the Son, rose from the dead and went back home to Heaven. So, the Christmas story doesn’t end at the cradle, nor did it end at the cross…it ends with Jesus arriving back in the Kingdom of G-d.

Our verse today is probably the most well known in the Bible, and in it we find the brief summary of the entire Bible…all 66 books. Martin Luther called it the “Gospel in Miniature”. G-d sent the Son Jesus, that we might have eternal life. Jesus died so that he can come again to take us with him for the greatest homecoming ever.

This Christmas Day, as you gather with your family and friends, or even if you are alone this Christmas, let us remember what this child born in a manger will go on to do for all believers. And, let’s keep looking ahead to the Son’s return and our homecoming in Heaven.

Pastor Dave