The Greatest Gift by Andrea Marino

We encounter many people in the course of our lifetime. Only one promises to be with us always. His name is Jesus. How mind-boggling it is to consider the Creator of everything emptying Himself and taking on the likeness of men, as written in Philippians 2:7. “For God so loved the world that He came to earth to live as one of us with the purpose of dying for the sins of the world.” (John 3:16 my emphasis).

Christmas is known as “the most wonderful time of the year.” Beyond the glitter of this joyous season is the gift of living hope to receive. Whether realized or not, we all need to have hope beyond this world; for it is appointed for all men to die and then face judgment. (Hebrews 9:27). The question is: what will we do with the Son of God who came to ransom our soul from hell?

Foolish thinking is to consider we can be righteous enough through good works, even excellent ones, or by keeping God’s laws. Both are lies from hell; because the word of God declares, “All have turned away; all alike have become corrupt. There is no one who does good, not even one.” (Psalm 14:3 CSB) and “All of us have become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like a polluted garment; all of us wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.” (Isaiah 64:6 CSB) Jesus did not die for no reason. There is nothing we humans can do to rid ourselves of sin. (See Romans 7)

Growing up with a knowledge of God and His commandments, I lived with more guilt than not. I remember, as a teenager, becoming curious as to who Jesus was. I heard He was the Son of God; I heard God was “three in One.” Funny, but not to insult The Father or The Son, night after night, when I said my bedtime prayers, I alternated my address to God, speaking “Father”, one night, the next night, “Jesus.” At that time, it was the best I could do. For sure, I had missed something huge in my state of religion. By age eighteen, amid the slogan of the day, “God is dead,” something about that didn’t sit right. It actually caused me to get more serious about knowing precisely who He is. And at the right time, on one sunny August afternoon, God revealed Himself to me. I was listening to a sermon on the radio when the words, Jesus hanging on a cross, struck me. Though I had heard this many times, the miraculous took place in that moment. It was the ‘twelve-inch difference’ of knowledge in my head reaching my heart. From there began this relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

“See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a Son, and they will name Him Emmanuel, which is translated, ‘God is with us.’” (Mathew 1:23 CSB) Our faith is powerful; it is “the reality of what is hoped for; the proof of what is not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1 CSB) When the rich man went away discouraged because he had given what he believed was his all, only to hear from Jesus it wasn’t enough to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, the disciples questioned Jesus about who, then, could be saved. And Jesus replied, “… With men this was impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Mathew 19:26 CSB)

Within the context of loss, (so much a part of the journey through life), the message of Christmas is a balm to our soul. When the world strikes a blow, sucker-punches you in the gut, remember God is working; and He is turning what the devil means for harm for good. I don’t actually enjoy these words: “Yet the LORD was pleased to crush him severely. When you make him a guilt offering, he will see his seed, he will prolong his days, and by his hand, the LORD’s pleasure will be accomplished.” (Isaiah 53:10 CSB) I wish for Jesus’ sake there was another way to save the world. I pray the message of Christmas to go deep into your heart this year, always to be encouraging. “But the angel said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:’” (Luke 2:10 CSB)

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus; look full into His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.” (Helen Howarth Lemmel, “The Heavenly Vision”)

With a yearning to uncover the secret to life, Andrea embarked on a journey to discover truth. The study of Psychology proved inadequate, while the forces of darkness began to make their presence known. The Hobble, from Ai to Bethel encompasses Andrea’s personal victory over fear and bondage to the enemy. Passionate in sharing God’s Good News about Jesus, the author desires to encourage people to never lose hope. Because we all ‘hobble’ before God in need of Him. When not writing, Andrea loves spending time with her children and grandchildren, and enjoys cycling on the open roads with her husband, David.

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