Luke 2:8–18 (ESV) “And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.”

Listen…

LISTEN!

The angel did say;

‘Tis Christ – the Lord

is born this day

Low in the manger’s trough He lay

This – I say, is Christmas

Peace…

PEACE!

The angels sang;

“Has come to earth”

the heavens rang

On Him all human hopes do hang

This – I say, is Christmas

Joy…

JOY!

To all the world

God’s banner – love

now flies unfurled

God’s wrath on Him will yet be hurled

This – I say, is Christmas

Run…

RUN!

To see Him there

Both God and man

Heav’n's sweetest share

The One whom all our sins will bear

This – I say is Christmas

Glory…

GLORY!

Oh Praise His name!

Our Substitute

Who’ll take our shame

The Babe, at Calvary’s cross takes aim

This – I say is Christmas

Luke 5:24 (ESV) “But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” ‘”

There are things in Scripture which rightly can be distinguished, but which we nevertheless must never completely separate. For example: Jesus is both God and man. If we look at Him only through one lens or the other, we do violence to who He is in toto. Nevertheless, getting a grasp of both concepts is also necessary for understanding the whole. And this very principle comes to bear in the verse we have before us here.

While they cannot be separated entirely, it is still wise to note that forgiveness of sins, and justification – while absolutely tied together – are not one and the very same thing. The difference lies in understanding the one as having more to do with our status in relationship to Christ’s Kingdom, and the other, to Him personally.

Scripture speaks often of the Christian’s duty to forgive when we’ve been sinned against. But it never speaks of us “justifying” the offender. Justification is legal, forensic. It has to do with being pronounced “righteous” in the courts of Heaven. It is only the justified who enter the Kingdom. But God does not merely justify us – though justification in some sense includes forgiveness. God, forgives us too. He personally, says to the one who appeals to Him for mercy on the basis of the blood of Christ’s shed blood – “I forgive you.” NOT – “you are forgiven” – but “I” forgive you.

In other words, what the sinner finds in Christ, is both reconciliation to the Kingdom of God, that we might be “just” (UN-guilty) citizens – but personal forgiveness from the Father – that we might be personally reconciled to Him!

Oh what a glorious salvation Jesus has brought to us at Calvary. Ours is not merely a forensic or legal matter settled in the wrath of God poured out upon our Substitute, but a deeply personal one. Ours is a salvation where the One we have offended and sinned against, is Himself perfectly at ease with us once more. The divide is gone. The barrier is removed. All the distance between the Believer and our God both spiritual and emotional is fully met in Christ.

This is why He came to earth.

This, is Christmas.

1 Peter 2:9–10 (ESV) ⁹ But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. ¹⁰ Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

My wife has worked as a career counselor. And if there is one thing we’ve discussed about this, it is how few people ever truly find gainful employment doing something they really love. Those who do, count it a treasure indeed.

So it is I wonder how often we as Believers reflect on the glorious, holy “employment” we are blessed to have as Christ’s people? I think of this when I read these short verses above. It is easy for us to get caught up with the wonder of God’s electing love and grace, without reflecting on WHY we have been so gloriously blessed.

So we read that Believers are: “a chosen race”; “a royal priesthood”; “a holy nation”; “a people for his own possession” – but these are not ENDS in themselves – as stupendously wonderful as they are. We are indeed all these things if we are in Christ – but it is “THAT YOU”… – do not miss those absolutely crucial words – “THAT YOU”. Why are we all these things? So that we might have the high joy and privilege of proclaiming (making known in word and experience) the “excellencies” of this God who called us out of darkness, into His marvelous light. And He has 2 “excellencies” in mind in particular: 1. Grace. To make it known that God is a God of grace – of lavish, unmerited favor. 2. Mercy. That God is a God of deep, unfathomable mercy toward us and our sinfulness. This is what Peter unpacks in verse 10.

1. Grace. Once we were not a people – but now, we are GOD’S people – His own family. How more “graced” can we be? To have been His enemies, and now to be His children. Beloved – THIS, is grace.

2. Mercy. Once we had not received mercy – we were abiding under the just wrath of God. But now? We have RECEVIED mercy, we have been forgiven. Wondrously, marvelously, miraculously washed in the “soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb.” We are a mercied people.

Can you recall the days before you were graced and mercied in Christ? And can you take a few moments today to discharge your newly appointed occupation making it known that this God in Christ Jesus is abundant in grace for all who come to Him, and immeasurably merciful to all who flee for shelter under His cross?

This, is an occupation of love!