Titus 2:11-14
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, 12 training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly,13 while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 14 He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.
Happiness
Gift giving brings a special kind of magic to Christmas. When I was a child, waiting to open presents was almost more excitement than I could handle. Now, I see that my actions during the year didn’t really deserve the happiness of unwrapping those gifts. My family’s kindness, their hard work, and the sacrifices they made to give me what I wished for were more than I ever earned. We tell kids that Santa watches to see who’s naughty or nice, but if he was watching me, he must have had a very forgiving heart—or maybe needed new glasses.
In Titus 3:4-5, we are reminded,
But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
God gave us Jesus not because we were good, but because we needed help. God saw our emptiness and offered us salvation with incredible generosity. Verse 6 says,
[the] Spirit was poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior. God loves to give us love and grace, not judgment. As you celebrate today, imagine God’s joy as you receive the gift of salvation, smiling with happiness for you.
Author: John Prichard
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