Titus 3:4-7 Contemporary English Version (CEV)
I love the Christmas season; each year it captures my heart and takes me on a journey filled with joyful memories of worship celebrations and meaningful family get togethers. Our family gatherings have changed a great deal over the past ten years; many of our family members are already with Jesus. Others have moved away. Yet, Christmas remains my favorite holiday to celebrate. God’s gracious gifts of hope, peace, joy, and love still fill me with praise. The Christmas journey is a heart journey that is focused on the goodness of God and the Perfect Gift of his Son.
In our passage today, the Apostle Paul calls us to remember the goodness and kindness of Almighty God. Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of the Christ—the Messiah. It is also a time to celebrate the new birth—yours and mine—in the Spirit who invites us to grow into the likeness of Christ. We start as a spiritual babe and, as we trust the work of the Spirit, we mature in grace and wisdom. The gift and work of the Spirit is to prepare us for eternal life. Merry Christmas!
Titus 3:4-7
4
God our Savior showed us
how good and kind he is.5
He saved us because
of his mercy,and not because
of any good things
that we have done.God washed us by the power
of the Holy Spirit.He gave us new birth
and a fresh beginning.6
God sent Jesus Christ
our Savior
to give us his Spirit.7
Jesus treated us much better
than we deserve.He made us acceptable to God
and gave us the hope
of eternal life.Prayer: Lord, today is Christmas Eve. Thank you for making my heart the manger for the Savior—the Spirit of Christ. Please continue to help me mature in grace and wisdom. In Jesus’ name. Amen.