The reason! The only reason!

The reason for the season. Baby Jesus. Born in a manger. In a cave (not a barn like everyone thinks). A dark, dirty cave. The reason He was born? To take away our sins and give us the incredible gift of eternal life. I'm blown away that He would do that for me. DIE for ME. As in really? I don't deserve it! None of us do. Which is what makes it so much more perfect and amazing and AWEsome...He came for us, died for us, conquered death and ROSE from the dead! The whole purpose, so that we won't be doomed to an eternity of pain and suffering in hell, but go with Him and get to be with Him forever in Heaven! This is the meaning of eternal life. Forever. To be with Jesus in Heaven. For eternity.

1 John 3:16 - "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers."

Eternity with Jesus. All because He came as a man, born in a lowly manger, grew up ridiculed by those who knew Him the most, to teach and love, to heal the sick and disabled, to bring peace and joy, to suffer and die for you and me. He conquered death. He CONQUERED it. He didn't just rise again and die later. HE IS STILL ALIVE. He is in Heaven awaiting the perfect time to return and take us, those who believe in Him, those who have accepted Jesus into their hearts as Lord and Savior, to take us into Heaven with Him. It's such an amazing gift! I want to tell the world. One step at a time.

He is coming. Probably sooner than we think, but not when we expect it. Yet we should be waiting. Anticipating. He's coming and He's taking us with Him. He's going to wipe out all sin. Create a new Heaven and a new Earth.

Matthew 24: 30-31 - "At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other."

vs. 36 - "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

And we will be with Him. Forever. Eternally living with Him! New bodies. It's going to be beautiful. This is the meaning of eternal life. It's not just something we say. It's the gift, the one gift that God has given to every single person if they just believe in Him!

It all started with one babe. One manger. Jesus' birth. The reason for the season.