I shared the following story with our family at Christmas this past year. Three of our children were present. David Gardner and family were in Peru, where they serve as missionaries. There were 38 of us in our living room. A sweet time of joy. I read this before we opened the presents.

Christmas Story 2023

Gather around, my cherished family, for I’m about to unfold the most exquisite story of all—the authentic Christmas narrative. Before the world heard its first word, before creation’s dawn, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit existed. God, the Alpha and Omega, beyond time’s confines, ever-existent, the one true God who created and owns the entire world.

Even before God sculpted man and the world’s expanse, in His boundless wisdom, He foresaw the fall of His creation, man, into sin. From the very inception, God had a plan. He planned His sacrificial death on the cross for sinners. God the Son, Jesus, would become the stand-in, the substitute, shouldering humanity’s sins, paying the price for our redemption and for all those that would believe.

In the flawless world, God shaped, He placed man in an earthly paradise known as the Garden of Eden. Though imperfect, innocent man lived, with the choice to heed or disobey God, dwelling in harmonious surroundings.

Adam and his wife he called “Woman” inhabited the garden with only one restriction—everything was theirs to enjoy except the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. The consequences of disobedience were severe; death awaited them.

The woman yielded to temptation, choosing Satan’s counsel over God’s. She, Woman, then shared the forbidden fruit with Adam, who knew they were going to die.

They realized something was wrong. Exposed, embarrassed, and vulnerable due to sin, they hid from God. They tried to hide their nakedness with makeshift leaf coverings; they trembled, wondering what would happen next.

God, walking in the garden in that evening, called for Adam. God did not come in anger, condemnation or with impending destruction, though Adam expected imminent death.

God urged them to confess their sin. They tried blame-shifting, not wanting to admit guilt. God did something extraordinary. He paid for their sin. He looked at the deceived woman and pronounced pain in childbirth upon her.

Hearing this announcement shocked Adam. Expecting death, he heard his wife would give birth. Overjoyed, he exclaimed, “I am calling you Eve, the mother of all living.” Instead of condemnation, God approached with loving compassion, covering their nakedness with the skins of a substitute, a lamb slain.

Then God made a promise: the woman would give birth to a child that would crush the serpent’s head. Their excitement knew no bounds. Consequences for sin existed, but God had given life and restored dignity.

With the birth of their firstborn, Eve wondered if this child was the promised one, but tragedy struck as Cain killed his brother Abel. Yet, with the next son’s birth, Seth, she continued to hope for the promised Messiah.

The lesson of the substitute endured in their descendants for generations. When we sin, someone must take our place for sin’s payment. The lamb slain symbolized this concept.

Even with the Ten Commandments, God knew man would fail. God provided an elaborate substitution system, anticipating the one who would crush the serpent. Every lamb slain was a picture of the coming Messiah.

Even when God made the ark for men to worship, He promised to speak from the Mercy Seat where the sacrificial blood of the substitute was to be placed.

God reminded them of His promises, promising a virgin would bring forth a child for complete deliverance from sin.

Engaged to Mary, Joseph learned she was with child. An angel explained it was a divine work, a miracle. Mary would give birth to a baby without a man ever having touched her. They were to name him, Jesus, meaning Savior—Immanuel, God with us.

Nearly all the world, even of the Jews, God’s people were no longer looking for the coming of the virgin born Savior, but one old believer was studying and watching. Simeon, vigilant but old, saw Jesus in the temple, witnessing the salvation of the Lord. He proclaimed it loud and clear that God’s promise had come true. Anna came running and left, telling everyone that salvation had come to the world.

Jesus, God in human flesh, came to Earth to save lost souls, fulfilling Old Testament promises.

God announced Jesus’ birth to humble shepherds and non-Jewish scholars, bringing peace between God and man. Jesus came to die on the cross, pay for our sins, and seek and save believers.

Today, my dear family, we’ve listened to the Christmas story—the birth of our Savior. Did you know more promises await fulfillment? He came once to rescue us, but soon He’ll return to establish His eternal kingdom. He is coming to rapture all those that are ready, saved by His grace.

As in His first coming, few expected His return. Yet, His return is imminent and the response echoes the past—few are watching. Oh, to embody the spirit of Simeon and Anna, fervently expecting our beloved Jesus. Jesus is coming soon. Are you ready?

My heartfelt prayer for each of you is true salvation, forgiveness, readiness for the heaven. I pray you are Anticipating Jesus’ return. Live as if will come at any minute. I pray you embrace God’s undeniable truth. My love for you runs deep, desiring to see you walk in love and obedience to our gracious God. 

Merry Christmas.