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One in 100 Trillion
By: Kristen L. McNulty
We've been hearing the Christmas story since childhood and anytime you become familiar with something it can be easy to gloss over the details. To not absorb just how miraculous each one of those details are. Did you know that the birth and life of Jesus Christ fulfilled over 300 prophecies, all given hundreds of years before His birth? Do you know what the odds of this happening is? According to statistics the probability is 1 in 100 trillion! That said, Christmas has the stamp of the divine all over it. Let's just think about it for a second.
Do you think it was an accident that God choose Mary and Joseph as Jesus' parents? As both were descendants of King David and it was only through this rare bloodline the Messiah could come from? Was it by chance that when it was almost time for Mary to deliver that Augustus would call a census that required both Mary and Joseph to travel to Bethlehem, the very town prophesied as the Messiah's birth place?
No, none of these details in the Christmas story were left to chance. They were all carefully planned out by a God who had all the details in His hands for a very specific purpose and that purpose is what we can't lose sight of this Christmas. This divine plan began with prophesies to highlight to all of history who the Messiah would be so that none could overlook Him, the plan was then followed up with a miraculous birth, stretched a lifespan of 33 years and ended with a gruesome death followed by a spectacular resurrection. This plan was God's plan to win back the heart of each one of His people, His creation. Sin created a gap between us and our creator, but the creator loved His creation so much that He refused to abandon them to their own way. Instead He built a bridge to close the gap and that remarkable gift, Jesus, is what we celebrate this Christmas.
Maybe this is the first time you've heard Christmas explained like this. Or maybe you've heard it before but thought this kind of a present is for everyone but you. Whatever camp you find yourself in, let me say it and I pray that you believe it- this gift is for you and it was one meant for you to accept. Jesus didn't die on the cross for only those who have never made a mistake or those who have it all together. In fact the opposite is true. Let me read a few verses from the Bible. Romans 5:6-8 says:
"When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, those someone might perhaps be wiling to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." (Romans 5:6-8)
Those verses sum up the Christmas story, a story that was not an accident, but a very deliberate plan of redemption penned by a very loving God. So my question to you is are you going to choose to accept it? God gives each one of us a choice, just as a parent cannot force an adult child to love them or spend time with them, God doesn't force Himself on any of His children. But He invites each one just the same.
If you would like to accept the ultimate Christmas gift, Jesus' life and death and payment for your sins, so that you will not be separated from God either in this life or the next, pray with me right here and right now.
Jesus,
I know that I have made mistakes and that I am a sinner. I believe in you and would like to accept your forgiveness and your sacrifice for my sins. I welcome you into my heart and ask you to forgive me of all my sins. Come into my life and make it yours, fill me with your spirit and help me to live my life for you. In your holy name I pray amen.
God's forgiveness is a wonderful thing and if you've asked for it today I praise God for your decision and invite you to get in touch with me if you have any questions, find my contact details here.
Reprint rights available on request. Email the author at kristenmcnulty@hotmail.com.
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