December 25, 2008

Let’s call Christmas something with which culture is familiar. It is the day of deliverance; the day the great deliverer was born; the day God became like us so we could become like him.

There is no better news; there is no other way to be delivered, from bad times and even good ones which, no matter how good, are never good enough. And certainly it is the day of deliverance from sin.

It is an old message that never grows old. That’s because it is renewed each year. Morning by morning new mercies I see. Great is his faithfulness.

Think on this gift. It is the ultimate gift. It costs us nothing, but it cost God everything. In return, Jesus doesn’t want a material gift – he wants us. And when he gets us, he transforms us and makes us more like him until that day when we are in glory.

As I write this, it is snowing and I am thinking of the verse in Isaiah: “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” That’s what Jesus did when he came for us. Let’s give ourselves back to him at Christmas and throughout the new year. Merry Christmas.

Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C.