God Sent His Only Begotten Son

-December 21, 2023-

Good morning beloved, happy Thursday,

“In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.”

(1 John 4:9).

God so loved the world and sent His only begotten Son to save us from our sins. He came forth from the Father to give us life. The Greek word for begotten is mono genes, and indicates that Jesus is God’s one and only Son, His one of-a-kind Son, His unique Son. Jesus is fully God, the second person of the Trinity.

Jesus is also called God’s beloved Son. Twice the voice of the Father is heard speaking of Jesus: once at His baptism and once in the Mount of Transfiguration. Matthew 3:17 says, “And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’” Then we read in Matthew 17:5, “While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!’”

The hymn writer John E. Walvood wrote, “Love was when God became a man, locked in time and space, without rank or place; Love was God born of Jewish kin, just a carpenter with some fishermen. Love was when Jesus walked in history—lovingly He brought a new life that’s free; Love was God nailed to bleed and die, to reach and love one such as I. Love was when God became a man down where I could see, love that reached to me; Love was God dying for my sin—and so trapped was I, my whole world caved in. Love was when Jesus rose to walk with me—Lovingly He brought a new life that’s free; Love was God—only He would try to reach and love one such as I.”

God’s amazing love that shone brightly in Bethlehem’s manger and still shines in the world as Lord and Savior. We have love, light, and life in Him both now and for all eternity. Christ is the perfect gift and the perfect giver. Let us bow and worship Him! May we bring our gifts of praise and lay them at His feet.

Have a blessed day in the Son. Be safe and healthy.

Jesus is the reason for the season,

Dean