God gave us a wonderful verse in 2 Corinthians 8:9, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so you through His poverty might become rich.” Christmas is about giving and for that reason it is about grace. My favorite Bible verse says, “For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son …,” (John 3:16). The best gift anyone will ever receive will not be found wrapped under a Christmas tree, but rather it is found at the foot of Calvary’s cross where we clearly see the true grace of Christmas.
First we see in this verse the author of grace, “that though He was rich,” before Jesus Christ came to earth He was, is and has always been God. He is God’s eternal son (Colossians 1:15-20). In Jesus, “all the fullness of deity dwells in bodily form,” (Colossians 2:9). Before His incarnation in Bethlehem, Jesus reigned on high as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is the author of grace.
Second, the act of grace, “yet for your sake He became poor.” The Lord Jesus humbled Himself by leaving His heavenly glory and coming to earth as the suffering servant and Savior (Philippians 2:5). It is through Him we are able to experience God’s grace.
Third, the acceptance of grace, “so that you through His poverty might become rich.” He gave up all to become the atoning sacrifice required by our Holy Heavenly Father to provide salvation to mankind (1 Peter 2:24). In order to be saved, we must receive Jesus Christ as our Savior (John 1:12).
Think of the Christmas gift of God’s grace this season. Jesus’ death gave us life, His obedience connects our sinful disobedience, His poverty makes us spiritually rich. This is the amazing, awesome grace of Christmas.
Dr. David Bouler of Global Faith Ministries, Chattanooga, Tennessee, contributed this column to the Journal Review. He can be reached by email at debouler@aol.com.
