Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.2 Corinthians 6:2b
Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself, bright and pure
Revelation 19:7,8
Many of us have precious Christmas ornaments which depict the First Christmas together as Husband and Wife. It is wonderful year after year as this ornament is taken out of its storage and hung on the tree to remember the blessed marriage and its continuous blessings.
Such is the marriage of the Babe of Bethlehem, Jesus Christ, to His bride, the Holy Christian Church. Yes, the Lord likes to make great and frequent use of this reality of humans being wed to the bridegroom Jesus and in preparation for the wedding feast in heaven to come, e.g. Ephesians 5:25ff. The bride (all believers in Christ) is cleansed of her sins and clothed in Christ's righteousness which He earned for them by His holy, innocent, bitter suffering and death for the covering over of all sins. Thus, "it was granted her to clothe herself, bright and pure."
God proclaims such high honor to every human for the Christmas message as first announced by the angels is "good news of great joy that will be for all people (emphasis mine). For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:10-11
If you've never embraced this good news for yourself, never believed that Jesus is your Savior from sin, then "This Christmas" could be your First Christmas Together with your Bridegroom, Jesus. As the Apostle Paul exhorts in the 2 Corinthians passage: "now is the favorable time, now is the day of salvation." Believe it, it's absolutely meant for you!
For the rest of us who celebrate many years married to Jesus in His brightness and purity, we rejoice each year at this time, knowing He came to redeem us. It is truly the season of peace and glad tidings of great joy!
Merry Christmas 2010!
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