![]() ![]() If the one nation that God chose for his own purposes has refused to acknowledge God, what chance do any of us have? In this regard then, the cosmos is a reference to the world’s badness, not its bigness. To be sure, this verse does not single out ancient Israel for special judgment. And worse, the one nation that should have known better-Israel-rejected God’s Messiah too. Verse 11 continues, “We came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.” We have all rebelled against our good God. Like a child ogling his gifts, while refusing to honor their giver, so the world has rejected its Creator. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. is love extends to all mankind and he gladly welcomes any repentant sinner into his royal family (see John 1:12–13 6:37) Still, there’s more going on in John 3:16 than a generic reference to God’s infinite love. In John’s Gospel, the world is a place of darkness, sin, greed, pride, and idolatry. John 1:9–10 says, The reference to the world certainly means that God’s love is as wide as creation itself. In context, John 3:16 says that God loved the world. This is the God of Christmas, and the one who sends his love by sending his Son, which leads to our second word: Love. It is not a generic reference to deity it is a personal word of address to the God who far exceeds anything else in creation. Specifically, it is a reference to God the Father who sent his Son into the world. It is a reference to the maker of the universe, the Lord of history, the righteous judge, and the almighty redeemer. No, ‘God’ in John 3:16 is the God of the Bible. It is not a generic reference to a divine being that different religions call by different names. ‘God’ is not a reference to some god of our own making. ‘God’ is a familiar word, but one that needs to be defined. And in John 3:16, we find three words that help us appreciate what this love is. Christmas, as a celebration of Christ’s birth, is a tradition that passes down the good news, that God’s love has come down. ![]() It is a tradition that tells us love is not a human emotion worked up with gifts and games. This is what Christmas is all about, and it is the tradition that started, sweetens, and sanctifies all others. ![]() For God so loved the world, he gave his Son. What is the giving of the Son, but a pregnant reference to the Christ child born to give his life as a ransom for the sins of the world? Maybe you don’t think of John 3:16 as a Christmas verse, but it is. As John 3:16 puts it: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16: A Christmas Verse And this tradition is passed down in order to communicate God’s love to the world. Rather, the birth of Christ is for all the world-for all people at all times in all places. In this way, there is a ‘tradition’ stands above all others because it is not reserved for one nation or one culture. It is a day that remembers the birth of Christ, the day God became a man and dwelt among us. One Tradition That Stands Above the Restīut none of these local traditions actually gets to the best part of Christmas, because Christmas is more than a man-made tradition. From gifts under the tree to long lines at the mall, from Santa Baby to the Trans-Siberian orchestra, our country celebrates the season with all sorts traditions that make us feel the Christmas spirit. Here in America too, Christmas is filled with tradition. And if you go up to Iceland, you will hear of 13 Yule Lads-13 tricksy trolls who break into homes and lick spoons, slam doors, and steal yogurt. Nick rewards the good boys and girls Krampus punishes the bad ones. If you go to Europe, you will find the Austrians pair Saint Nicholas with a demonic figure named Krampus. If you traveled to the Philippines in this season, you’d come across a festival of giant lanterns, where 11 different village compete to build the largest and most elaborate lantern. Since 1974 KFC has been the Japanese’ Christmas meal. Christmas is a time filled many wild and wonderful traditions.įor instance, the Japanese celebrate Christmas with their favorite holiday meal-Kentucky Fried Chicken. ![]()
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