A Celebration of the Good.

Christmas is a celebration of the good. It is the celebration of the good, because God is perfect and has displayed his goodness in an extravagant way in Jesus Christ. God knew that Adam and Eve would sin and that he would provide redemption, and God knows it is all worth it. This gift of redemption is available to all, but you must receive it by turning away from sin and turning to God in Jesus Christ.

The Birth of Jesus displays God’s goodness, as does Easter. God, in his goodness, does not give us what we deserve but offers us the gift of eternal life that begins now for those in Christ. As the scriptures state, “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3).

In humility and strength, God came in the flesh in Jesus and let his creation nail him to a cross to take on the just penalty of our sin on himself, so that those who receive him receive abundant and eternal life in him. Because of the goodness of God at Christmas, people are inspired to be and do good.

However, Jesus is not just an example; he is the way to life. All people receive some grace in this life and are like those who receive a gift but only take off the wrapping paper. They don’t open the box and receive the gift. God gives light to every person at birth. He provides the "capacity for love and understanding." This is a light from God. However, the full light, or true light, is given in Jesus Christ and the gospel, and people are true to the light when they receive Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. They then experience the true light.

We can celebrate at Christmas the good, which is God, and goodness among men because of God. We can celebrate even though we may be alone, don’t have a lot of money, and may have a broken family. Even in our own brokenness, we can celebrate Christmas and the good it represents. Even in dark times we can celebrate the good. We can also take the initiative and do good. It is the Spirit of the season. A lot depends on how we see. It is our worldview. If we look from God’s perspective, it is good. Heaven will be filled with the glory of God in his own goodness. That is what makes heaven heaven.

"We must not construct our view of God based on our circumstances and experiences in the present fallen world. Instead, we must construct our view of God from his revelation in Scripture, which culminated in the person and work of Christ.... Our view of God's character is distorted when viewed through the lens of our experience. His character is seen in biblical revelation of his names, actions and attributes, and most clearly at the incarnation and the cross of Christ." Christian Theology, p. 201, Adam Harwood.

If we do not worship the good, what do we worship? Do we primarily worship ourselves, money, fame and power? If we worship good, we will center ourselves in the worship of God and be grateful. This is much better than being selfish and bitter. If we don’t fill up the space, then the emptiness will eventually be filled with something else. Worship good, and we worship God, and we become good. God is most interested in the people we become. He is most interested in our character. Of course, he is also interested in our actions.

God is perfectly good. This kind of good is what deep down all human beings long to experience. We want to be connected to this good and having confidence in this good transforms us and empowers us. God wants us to be people who can be entrusted with his power to do good. God gives us grace to do what, apart from him, we cannot and do not and be. He is not calling us to be perfect, but to be and do a lot better. God’s grace makes us fruitful. If you do nothing, it will be without him. We must get beyond the search for man’s empty praise, fame, riches, reputation, pleasure and worldly power. Then we will be truly free. God offers something far greater.

Celebrate Christmas by celebrating the good. The primary essence of the good is God. He loves you and wants the best for you. He offers you a free gift in Jesus Christ, but you must receive for it to do good in your life.

Look to God this Christmas and find life. Life full and abundant and overflowing to His glory. To seek his glory is to seek the good of God. When we seek the good of God, we enter what is good. When we seek just our own happiness, we find an empty well.

Christmas is good. It is the celebration of what is good. During Christmas, at the time of the First World War, the British and Germans laid down their weapons and came out of the trenches singing together Christmas carols. They shared the pictures of their loved ones and even played a bit of soccer together. There is something about Christmas that makes a man want to celebrate the good. Will you celebrate the good this Christmas and, hopefully, fully enter into the good in Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord? The Bible says, “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God”(John 1:12). We must receive him as God of our life and the substitute for our sin and be willing and resolved to turn from sin to the love of God. Only by God’s grace is this possible, but it is possible for everyone. We must also be willing to be a public follower of Jesus.

Merry Christmas in the goodness of God, and to all peace and goodwill.