For You, A Savior is Born (Advent) - Monday, December 25

For You, A Savior is Born - Monday, December 25

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior,
who is Christ the Lord."
Luke 2:11 (ESV)

This past Christmas, I joined my husband, Rick, and the music band he plays with, at an outreach ministry event in the center of a large city.

It was a very cold night.

I watched the people as they began to straggle in, one by one. Many of them were in pretty rough shape, as though life had not been easy for them. You could tell some of them were simply there for a warm place to sit and something to eat.

But, as the evening wore on, many of the faces began to change. They started to respond to the music with swaying and clapping, enjoying the festive atmosphere of the mission place. Many of the people in the audience I would not typically associate with having "needs of the heart," but simply people who had made poor decisions, and would fall to the wayside. Yet, on that evening, I had a brief glimpse of their hearts.

I saw the heart of individuals who long for love and care, of individuals who can respond and enjoy the beautiful experiences of life, just like, so called, "normal people." I knew they were created in the image of God, but it was good to be reminded and see their needs and longings.

These are God-given longings. The need to be loved and cherished will always be there, no matter where the experiences of life take us. Some of us may end up living a lifestyle that we define as normal, and some will end up in a lifestyle others deem as unacceptable. Nevertheless, we are still image-bearers of God, and He extends His hands to all of us.

The Good News is that Jesus came for all of us no matter where we are in life. He came to the "normal" and to the "unacceptable." In Luke 2:11-12, it says, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in clothes and lying in a manager.” He came, born as a tiny baby, helpless and vulnerable. Just like us.

This is the message we point to on Christmas Day—the message that a Savior has been born to us all, for we are all image-bearers of God. This is the Good News.

Dear Father in heaven, thank you that we are so important to You, no matter where we are in life. Thank you for the message that tells us, “a Savior has been born for you!” Help us, Father, to make this real today and everyday. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Linda Martin (Cree)
Niverville, Manitoba