His Joy for Us
By Pamalia Culvern
Pamalia lives in Madison, Georgia, USA. Upon graduation from a counseling course through Exchanged Life Ministries, she hopes to continue her work with teens and the elderly.

Isaiah 9:6 states, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given…" These well-known and very familiar words are quoted every Christmas. I ask then, "Who is us?" In John 3:17 'us' seems to be defined as the world… "For God sent not His son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved." God is sovereign. He knows the end from the beginning. His son, Jesus Christ, is called the lamb slain from the foundation of the world. You see God in His foreknowledge and love provided us, the world, with a gift, a Savior who would show us the way home.

Christ was nailed to a cross and crucified on our behalf. He died for us, the ungodly, the sinners as stated in Rom. 5:6,8. As He lie dying He uttered, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." The Old Testament prophecy in Isaiah 53:6 was complete. "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." I love this prophetic verse. All our self will and fierce independence was laid on Him; what loving acceptance He has shown the world.

1John 2:2 says, "And He (Jesus Christ) is the propitiation (payment) for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." These verses bring healing tears to my eyes and peace to my spirit. I feel His joy for us, as I know the hope He put in us. In my search for truth, I began devouring His word several years ago. I've been introduced to some writings from the 1800's and early 1900's. These men just somehow seem to capture the essence and heart of God. Reading the words to some of the older hymns let me know of a true understanding of God I fear we've gotten away from today.

As I've recently studied the verses that inspired Handel's Messiah, I was brought to my knees in a triumphant adoration of God and His plan for us. These verses confirm in my spirit that God has prepared a good ending for His creation. As Paul wrote so eloquently in Phil. 2:10,11 "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

The end of Christ's life was truly the door to new beginnings. We have never to fear death, as it is merely our step into life. "In Him was life; and the life was the light of men." (John 1:4) So dear people know that God was in Christ…why?…to reconcile the world back to Himself…for what?…to not impute their trespasses against them. (See 2 Cor. 5:19) For a perfect summary of Christ's life work which is the good news of our gospel, note 2 Cor. 5:21 which beautifully explains, "He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." Now you are an ambassador for Christ. This word of reconciliation is held by you to give to the world.

Have a blessed Christmas celebrating God's gift of love to us all.

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