Christmas is not just the celebration of a birth. It's certainly more than Jesus' birthday. It is the celebration of an appearance. Titus tells us, "When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared..." God stepped into our world, into flesh, and into history.
Now, notice what Paul emphasizes: not because of righteous things we had done.
That's how we win contests. When I was in middle school, I had the opportunity to meet Chuck Norris. He came to our school as a reward for our participation in his new karate program. And, somehow, our family even got a Christmas card from him!
But Christmas confronts our instincts to try to earn our way to God. The manger reminds us that salvation begins not with our effort, but with God's mercy. Before we could ever clean ourselves up or figure everything out, God came near to us.
Jesus arrives as love embodied. God's grace with skin on. Marcy wrapped in swaddling cloths. Through him, we are washed, renewed, and made whole. Not patched up, but reborn by the Holy Spirit.
And the Christmas appearance also gives our identity back. We are no longer defined by our past, our failures, or our striving. We are justified by grace and named heirs of eternal life. What begins in the manger ends in hope that cannot be taken away.
This season, let Christmas remind you that God did not wait for you to be ready. God's kindness appeared right on time. And still does today.
Merry Christmas and stay blessed...john | 
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