Have you ever received an unexpected gift?

Have you ever received an unexpected gift? In those moments you’re overjoyed and overwhelmed - and certainly humbled. When God the Father gave the world His Son, humanity received a gift we certainly did not deserve. Our gracious Lord orchestrated the most wonderful and awe-inspiring delivery for the gift of His Son.

But when the set time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. Galatians 4:4-7 (NIV)

Because of the grace of the Father through Jesus, we can have a new life. The gift we receive is not just carols and candlelight. We are given the offer of adoption by the Father. We are invited into His “forever family”. We can become His children. The gift we have been given by God the Father through Jesus provides us with the opportunity for new life. Now that’s a Merry Christmas!

Pastor Joel Dorman
First Baptist, Merced