25 Days of Celebration Christmas Devotional 2021

DECEMBER 12 GOD’S PERFECT PLAN By Tom Joyce Pastor of Next Generation, Discipleship and Family, Immanuel Bible Church

For nothing will be impossible with God. (Luke 1:37)

Despite this proclamation by the angel, Gabriel, we can only imagine that Mary had reservations. How could she, a poor, young, insignificant virgin from Nazareth, be considered the “favored one” when she and her fiancé, Joseph, could barely afford to take shelter in a barn? How was she to give birth to royalty who would redeem mankind and reign over the house of Jacob forever? As outlandish as the plan may have seemed, Gabriel had assured her this was the plan, and there was no Plan B. Thus, as God’s plan unfolded, the prophets spoke, the unlikely parents were chosen, the Savior arrived, the Magi came a long way to worship, and some thirty years later the first phase of the plan was completed on an old rugged cross at Calvary! It was a perfect execution of God’s perfect plan.

But wait, there’s more:

The birth, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the salvation of mankind is by far the greatest gift ever given. If that were the total of God’s redemptive plan, that in itself would be awesome, but God has even more in store for those He redeems. Shortly before His crucifixion, Jesus told His disciples that God’s plan also included the creation of a future, special dwelling place, meticulously prepared for each of us. Our Savior, Jesus Himself, would return to escort us to that special place called heaven where we will dwell with and praise our Savior for all eternity. It’s the full story of Christmas and why we should celebrate not only each 25th of December but the rest of the year as well. There is no greater gift, and there is no Plan B. Hallelujah!

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