December 19
(Luke 2:38 NIV) "Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem."
(Psalms 130:7-8 NIV) "O Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. {8} He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins."
(Romans 3:20-24 NIV) "Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. {21} But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. {22} This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, {23} for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, {24} and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."
(Colossians 1:13-14 NIV) "For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, {14} in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
Full redemption is part of the Christmas package given to us by God with the birth of Jesus. Anna recognized that the baby Jesus was the fulfillment of God’s promise to fully redeem Israel from her sins. The Messiah had come as an infant to save His people. Redemption is a great gift. Like a store coupon, a worthless piece of paper until it is redeemed, God redeems our life and makes it valuable. God’s redemption rescues us from darkness, forgives our sin, declares us righteous, justifies us freely, and brings us into the kingdom. This is a child worth looking forward to, a child worth speaking about, a child for whom we should give thanks and praise to God. This is what Anna, Simeon, the angels, the shepherds, and the Magi did. And it’s what we should do. Give thanks and praise to God for your redemption. Merry Christmas! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day
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