Christmas is Costly
It cost Mary and Joseph the comforts of home during a long period of exile in Egypt to protect the little Babe.
It cost mothers around Bethlehem the massacre of their babies by the cruel order of King Herod.
It cost the shepherds the complacency of their shepherd’s life, with the call to the manger and to tell the good news.
It cost the wise men a long journey and expensive gifts and changed lives.
It cost the early apostles and the early church persecution and sometimes death.
It cost missionaries of Christ untold suffering and sacrifice to spread the good news.
It cost Christian martyrs in all ages their lives for Christ’s sake.
More than all this, it cost God the Father His own Son–He sent Him to the earth to save men.
It cost Jesus a life of sacrifice and service, a death cruel and unmatched in history.
Yet the price that was paid was worth the cost. Through the greatest sacrifice, we are blessed with salvation, grace, mercy and the joy we can live and breathe, not only on Christmas Day, but every day!
I read this in our church newsletter 15 years ago. I still am not sure who wrote it. It’s a bit different than the Holly Jolly Christmas message we’re used to but it speaks a precious truth.
Praying that we all enjoy the beauty of the season and still take time to reflect on why Christmas sometimes must be costly–and be ever so grateful for the gift of salvation through Jesus. Merry Christmas!